On The Town: Church hosts annual ‘Meals on Wheels’ luncheon

Some 200 Glendale residents never miss the “Meals on Wheels” all-you-can-eat benefit luncheon held annually at the First United Methodist Church on Kenwood Street. In fact, Laveta Hill has perfect attendance, having gone to all 37 luncheons.

In charge are members of the Church Women United of Glendale, gracefully led by Lillian Simons. These gals sure know to how to use a few loaves and fishes to feed the multitudes — in this case, the homebound seniors who have their meals delivered via the Glendale Salvation Army’s “Meals on Wheels” program.

A ticket for the benefit luncheon held recently was an $8 donation. For that, guests heaped their plates with homemade salads, breads and deviled eggs served up by the most Christian of women.

Seven high school and college students scurried among the tables, providing water, replacing any missing water glasses and refilling the plate of anyone who wanted seconds without the bother.

The young waiters and waitresses were Daniel Dickinson (Chapman University), Emily Theiring (Immaculate Heart), Alex Hall (St. Francis), Brenna Cancilla (UC Berkeley), Celeste Drake (Immaculate Heart), Yasmeen Syed (USC), and Fatima Valencia (UCLA).

In spite of some cross-town college rivalry, the students served like the well-oiled machine they are. Several of them had helped out at previous luncheons.

Drake’s mother, Karil Drake, was a devoted chairperson. Her co-chair Evelyn Horigan was equally committed to the task. Both helped recruit restaurant owners to donate food. Generous donor restaurants included Arts Market, George’s Cuchina, and Mi Corazon, all in Kenneth Village. Other restaurants were Glendale’s Panda Inn and Shakers as well as Frank’s in Montrose.

More Glendale residents enjoying lunch were Becky Haase, Tatiana Taylor and Cecelia Walker. Salvation Army representatives present were Lt. Jessica Sneed and Rick White, director of operations.

According to Sneed, 35 to 50 seniors in La Crescenta, Montrose and La Cañada are currently served by “Meals on Wheels.” Many of the seniors live alone without nearby family members to help them.

The seniors are charged $6 for their meals. Those who can’t afford the entire $6 are given “scholarships” to subsidize the rest of the cost. The benefit luncheon provides those funds. Last year’s luncheon raised $2,250. This year, Thrivent Financial will contribute matching funds to luncheon proceeds.

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A hot Pioneer Day was celebrated last Saturday by members of the La Crescenta Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But this wasn’t how the Utah pioneers did it. La Crescenta Saints did it with a bounce house.

The church building patio and adjacent grounds in La Cañada featured the bounce house for the kids and a tropical shaved Kona ice truck for everybody else. Of course, the kids got plenty of the cold stuff, too. A favorite syrup flavor poured over the ice was piña colada. Blue raspberry ran a close second.

Brothers Thomas Kenny, 11, and Daniel Kenny, 9, enjoyed a little of both. Their mom, Claire, and dad, Phil, said they appreciated the shredded pork sloppy joes in the cultural hall.

Although some 300 celebrants were expected by the food committee, that number was exceeded by at least 150. But the food kept coming. Long gone were the hamburger buns. Salads saved the day — cole slaw, fruit salad, tomato salad, potato salad and egg salad filled up hungry tummies during the warm evening.

Glendale residents present included Kathy and Kent Lee, Doris and Marion Gubler, Cary and David Corrigan, Kristine and Todd Gunnell, Lisa and Craig Busch, Richard Rands, granddaughter Kathy Rands, Shela Anderson and John Rogers.

Sunland resident and president of the La Crescenta Stake, Jay P. Morgan, decided to forgo his pioneer garb just for this year.

Pioneer Day commemorates the entry of Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers into Utah’s Salt Lake Valley in 1847.

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RUTH SOWBY RANDS may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.