REPEAT/Northern Nevada Harrah's Properties and Meals On Wheels Join Forces to Assist Local Seniors
RENO, Nev.--May 20, 2002--To help local Meals On Wheels (MOW) programs raise funds and recruit volunteers so no senior goes hungry, Harrah's Reno and Harrah's Lake Tahoe, along with Harveys and Bill's Casino, announced today its major commitment to donate volunteer time and money to Washoe, Douglas and Eldorado County Meals On Wheels programs. The announcement also included a major donation of a new $40,000 Meals on Wheels delivery truck for Washoe County Senior Services Meals on Wheels program.
The commitment, on behalf of the northern Nevada Harrah's properties, includes monthly employee volunteer time helping serve meals at local senior centers and on residential delivery routes. In addition, a major monetary donation of a new $40,000 MOW delivery truck was made by Harrah's Reno to the Washoe County Senior Services MOW program. The Dodge Dakota delivery truck will give the 30-year-old Washoe County MOW program the capability to increase its hot/cold meal deliveries per day to reach additional clients. With the use of the new truck, Washoe County MOW will have the ability to deliver 275 client meals a day, 1,375 meals per week, 5,500 meals per month, and 66,000 meals per year.
"With the rate of increase in the elderly population in Nevada three times the national rate, the donation of the truck by Harrah's Reno will enable the MOW program in Washoe County to grow in a proactive manner, including serving clients outside the Reno-Sparks vicinity," says Michael Silberling, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Harrah's Reno. "Our commitment is an example of Harrah's Reno giving back to the community, by helping feed needy seniors and by raising public awareness about senior hunger."
Adding to the commitment, Harrah's and Harveys Lake Tahoe donated $5,000 to Meals On Wheels programs in Douglas and Eldorado County.
To help kick off the Harrah's partnerships, Phil Satre, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. delivered meals to several Reno area seniors in the No. 14 Harrah's Chevrolet Monte Carlo racecar.
"We're proud to be the national sponsor of the crucial `March For Meals' initiative to bring attention to the serious matter of seniors in need," said Phil Satre, Harrah's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe our network of 25 casinos in 12 states can help Meals On Wheels spread its message that no senior should go to bed hungry. The commitment made today by Harrah's northern Nevada properties only strengthens our company's commitment."
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. recently announced it is a prime national corporate sponsor of the Meals On Wheels Association of America's "March For Meals" campaign, a nationwide initiative to end senior hunger. Harrah's Entertainment believes companies can play a critical role in the fight against senior hunger, and has committed at least $1 million of support during the next three years to Meals On Wheels programs.
NASCAR Busch Series driver, Larry Foyt of Foyt/Harrah's Racing Team has aided Harrah's nationwide effort by donating money for each lap he completed during March, and by making public appearances at Harrah's casinos to promote Meals On Wheels. Foyt's Busch Series car also displays the "March Meals for Wheels" and the Meals On Wheels Association of America logos.
According to Meals On Wheels Association of America, more than 13 percent of Americans are older than 65, and that number is projected to jump to 20 percent by 2030. The organization reports its services are already stretched, as four out of every 10 Meals On Wheels programs have waiting lists for seniors in need of meals. While some funding for the local meal programs comes from government sources, the programs rely extensively on private donations and contributions in order to meet their budgetary needs. For more information on Meals on Wheels Association of America, visit www.MOWAA.org, or for information on the Washoe County Senior Services Meals On Wheels Program call (775) 328-2575.
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