Despite blustering winds and cooler temperatures, revelers came out in record numbers to support Meals-on-Wheels “Night Under the Stars” Kickoff Celebration for the non-profit organization’s Kitchen Campaign, Saturday, March 28 at the TXI Railport in Midlothian. The event was held in at the site where the new multi-use facility will be built, centrally located in the heart of Johnson and Ellis Counties.

More than 300 supporters attended the event featuring live entertainment provided by Highway 80 West, a local country western band featuring drummer and the City of Cleburne’s assistant city manager Rick Holden, who also served as master of ceremonies. Among those in attendance was Congressman Joe Barton, who serves as Meals-on-Wheels’ honorary chair of the “Kitchen Cabinet.” Proud to be an integral part of the kitchen campaign, Barton touted the organization’s unwavering ability to serve more than 750 elderly and disabled clients hot lunches seven days a week.

As Congressman Barton addressed the crowd, he stated, “You did not have to come here tonight. You chose to come here to support the Meals-on-Wheels because you feel their mission is important.” The Joe Barton Family Foundation gave the lead gift toward the Kitchen Campaign of $500,000. The Joe Barton Family Foundation chose to support the Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties because of their commitment to the elderly and disabled citizens in these counties.

“I am extremely pleased that the Family Foundation has partnered with the Meals-on-Wheels in their effort to build a regional kitchen facility. This facility will be able to serve the growing needs of elderly citizens in theses counties for years to come. I feel that it is truly beneficial to keep people in their own homes,” he continued.

Supporters from all of the local communities and around North Central Texas contributed to the over whelming success of this event. The event was underwritten by The Joe Barton Family Foundation, TXI, Walmart Distribution Center, Pete Durant & Associates, and XTO Energy, along with many table sponsors and attendees.

“But this is just the beginning,” said Amy Jackson, director of development. “We have only raised $750,000 of our $3 million goal!”

Once the kitchen is operational, Meals-on-Wheels will initially be cooking more than 1,200 fresh hot meals a day – with opening projections tentatively slated for Spring of 2011.

The new Meals-on-Wheels kitchen will ……

• enable Meals-on-Wheels to reduce transportation and production costs by building a central location close to the people we serve,
• improve the quality of the meals we serve to our needy elderly and disabled residents,
• provide a permanent facility that will serve our community now and for many years to come, and
• meet the needs of the growing elderly and disabled population in Johnson and Ellis Counties.

The organization’s $3 million campaign focuses not only on the kitchen, office spaces and service equipment needed and the capacity to serve more than 1,000 meals daily, but outreach and expansion opportunities to the community will be facilitated. In addition, a savings of more than $175,000 annually in food costs will enable Meal-on-Wheels to implement other programs in order enhance each clients’ quality of life. 

Meals-on-Wheels is a community-based, non-profit organization serving the homebound elderly and disabled residents throughout Johnson and Ellis Counties.  For more information about The Kitchen Campaign, Meals-on-Wheels services, volunteering, or to make a donation, please contact Meals-on-Wheels at 817-558-2840; 972-351-9943 or visit the website at www.servingthechildrenofyesterday.org.