SANDPOINT — Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc. was awarded a grant of $28,750 from Walmart Thursday to support food programs and activities at the local senior center.

"It's fabulous," said Ellen Weissman, executive director of SASi. "We have a wonderful, giving community."

She said community members "stepped up" over the last year as the senior center got into a financial bind. Donations from the community during that time totalled about $10,000. 

"When we get large grants like this, it helps so we don't have to be constantly appealing to the community," Weissman said.

Weissman said the bulk of it will be used to purchase food and items such as the trays used to seal meals for the "Home Delivery Meals" program.

A statement by Walmart officials said Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better lives through philanthropic efforts that draw on the strengths of Walmart in the arenas of sustainability, economic opportunity and community.

"As part of our commitment to creating a more sustainable food system worldwide, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States," the statement says.

Walmart recently exceeded a $2 billion goal to fight hunger a year ahead of schedule and donated 1.5 billion pounds of food across the country, including local food banks.

This is the third year SASi has received a grant from Walmart.

Between lunch at the center and the home delivery program, SASi prepares about 2,000 meals a month.

"For some people, unfortunately, the meal that they receive at home or (at SASi) is basically their one meal of the day," Weissman said.

All of the home delivered meals are prepared at the senior center and some are frozen after being sealed in the meal delivery trays, which Weissman said allows for very little waste. Those in town receive hot meals, but for people in need of food who live further away, the frozen meals are a good option.

Lunches are held at the center Monday through Thursday and breakfast is held on Friday. Home meals are delivered up to seven days a week by volunteer drivers. Prices for senior meals are on a donation basis with a $4 recommendation, but seniors who can't afford it are not turned away. For those under 60, the cost is $7.50.

SASi has some events coming up as well, such as the "Kostume Karaoke" night on Oct. 29, a "Harvest Dinner" on Nov. 5, and a "High Tea" fundraiser on Dec. 11.

Information about SASi and upcoming events is available online at sandpointareaseniors.org.