When these Bag Ladies come knockin,' they are sure to get a warm welcome! Fourteen fabulous ladies divide their time up to fill bags with nutritious meals for senior citizens in need. Meals on Wheels provide hot meals to homebound seniors three times a week in Post Falls.

Although the quantity of meals delivered varies weekly, approximately three dozen meals are packaged each time with tender love and care. According to federal guidelines, each bag must include a protein, vegetable, salad, fruit, juice, milk, yogurt, bread and dessert. There are frozen dinners for off-delivery days, or weekends and holidays.

Millie Larson is newly retired and has lived here two years. She manages the Meals on Wheels names on bags and coordinates the corresponding bills to the clients. "We collect a suggested donation of $4," said Larson. "It is not a lot, but many seniors can't pay even that."

Ardella Quaale retired from the Assessor's Office at the Courthouse after 16 years and didn't want to sit at home all day. "My dad received Meals on Wheels in Spokane and always talked about how good they were," Quaale said. "The lady that delivered them was so kind and even attended his funeral. I realize how important these meals are for the seniors who are unable to get out of their homes. Being a Bag Lady has enriched my life with wonderful friendship, more than I can say."

Thais Johnson joined the group after her husband passed away. She joined an exercise group where several of the ladies quickly recruited her into service. "We are a really cohesive group, and watch out for each other," states Johnson. "Once a month we meet for lunch, and when the time comes, we have memorials for the past people that have participated in the group."

Glenda Gravelle has been volunteering for eight years at the Post Falls Senior Center. "Because I volunteered," Gravelle said, "I was able to help my neighbor by recommending Meals on Wheels when she wasn't eating properly." Gravelle was previously a head housekeeper for a nursing home in Kellogg.

Terri Clare worked at Rousers for 25 years. "I knew a lot of people in the community, claims Clare. "When I retired, the Bag Ladies became my friends. When asked about a favorite memory when volunteering, Clare shared, "Sometimes we get the reward of receiving a letter with positive strokes. But most of the time, we don't usually see the clients because there are separate delivery drivers."

Jo Ann Wolkenhauer has been volunteering for a remarkable 23 years. She came to the Meals on Wheels program with a lot of experience after cooking for the Post Falls High School Lunch program, now retired. At first, she was overseeing waivers for food deliveries from the Senior Center. She states, "I have enjoyed working with the different site managers over the years, interacting with the seniors and working with people."

Sherron Lunders, volunteer coordinator for the program, was an elementary school teacher for 33 years. She saw a need after her sister in Missoula started receiving Meals that helped her diabetes. "There were two bad winters that we were forced to close," Lunders recalls. "The rule was if the school district closed then we would close. We were so worried about the seniors those years. Somehow, some of us managed to make it to the Senior Center and I recall the Post Falls School District sending over enormous amounts food. People came in their 4-wheel drive vehicles and got our deliveries out. Our community really came together. It was special to be able to do our job."

Formerly called the Busy Bees, after the group founder, Bea Luddington, the Bag Ladies are more than just a volunteer group. Additional Bag Ladies include Audrey McGrath, Kathy Johnson, Jan Liesenfeld, Margaret Evenson, Joan Kirshbaum, Annie Mader, and Bea Hancock. Each one certainly has a special story and reason why they come to the Post Falls Senior Center, and why they joined the Bag Ladies club. Many have been touched by a need themselves. But they all have one thing in common, they love being a Bag Lady.

Volunteer Opportunity: 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner Volunteers Needed

The Fedora Pub and Grille and many local non-profit organizations and volunteers are working to bring our community together on Thanksgiving Day.

Last year, 1,100 people from our area were fed for free. This year the planning committee is working hard preparing for an estimated 1,500 of our friends and neighbors who have been hit hardest by these trying economic times.

Providing a nice Thanksgiving meal with amazing volunteers may help relieve pressure from families trying to give their families a memorable Thanksgiving. It can also provide a sense of comfort for those who are spending the holiday alone.

This event is held on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013. Volunteer opportunities include Volunteer sign-in booth, cook setup, kitchen set-up, hostess, greeter, server, dishwasher, bathroom monitor, event floater, and food bag distribution. Several shifts available. No experience necessary, training provided.

Please visit www.kootenaiunitedway.org, click on the "VOLUNTEER" link to view other volunteer opportunities in YOUR community, or contact Jeanette Laster at United Way of Kootenai County, (208) 667-8112 Ext. 101.

Get Connected!

The United Way of Kootenai County Volunteer Center

GET CONNECTED!

* "One-Stop Volunteer Resource Center" for the whole community

* Ongoing and one-time volunteer opportunities

* TAKE ACTION - (208) 667-8112

Visit the United Way's Volunteer Center website: www.kootenaiunitedway.org

GIVE. ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER