Harrah’s Ak-Chin presents $25,000 check to Meals on Wheels

Harrah’s Ak-Chin is striving to make a difference in the lives of senior citizens who are in danger of hunger.

Thursday at a press conference, Harrah’s Vice-President and General Manager Geoff Andres presented a check for $25,000 to Meals on Wheels.

Andres discussed the serious threat facing seniors in the United States. “One in nine seniors are in danger of hunger, and this is increasing.” Andres added, “Harrah’s Ak-Chin and the Ak-Chin Indian Community are delighted to offer our continued support to the Meals on Wheels program and commend them for the work they are doing in the community.”

Andres challenged other businesses in Pinal County to “recognize this need and make a contribution to this worthwhile organization.” In the last five years Harrah’s Ak-Chin has contributed $125,000 and a food delivery truck to Meals on Wheels.

Olivia Guerrero, CEO and president of the Pinal-Gila Area Agency for Aging, accepted the check, thanking Harrah’s and the Ak-Chin Community for their contributions to the program. She went on to discuss the groundbreaking new research study that was released by Meals on Wheels and underwritten by the Harrah’s Foundation, calling it “the very first comprehensive senior hunger study.”

This study, entitled “The Causes, Consequences, and Future of Senior Hunger in America” found that:

· Poor seniors are more likely to be at risk, but half of all at-risk seniors have incomes above the federal poverty line.
· More than two thirds of all hungry seniors are white.
· Being divorced, separated or never married is a risk factor; being married reduces risk by 20 percent.
· Seniors living with a grandchild are 50 percent more likely to be at risk of hunger than those who don’t.
· Seniors most at risk are in the 60-64 age group. An 84-year-old is more than one third less likely to be at risk for hunger than a 64-year-old.

Guerrero’s organization provides meals for residents in Maricopa, Stanfield and their outlying areas. In the last year over 4,000 meals have been served to seniors in need here. The money donated by Harrah’s Ak-Chin will be used locally to aid the Meals on Wheels effort to reach seniors.

Ak-Chin Tribal Council members Gabriel Lopez, Terry Enos and Leslie Carlyle-Burnett were on hand for the presentation.

Carlyle-Burnett said, “It is always nice to be a part of this. The tribe always works to take care of our elders… it’s sad that elsewhere this is what people face.”

Enos added, “We are glad to have the Harrah’s Corporation involved; they are well known for helping people in need.”

Lopez said that he was impacted by the statistics. “It makes me feel good to do our part to help.”

Guerrero said the organization is always looking for volunteers to help prepare and deliver meals, donations of cash and kitchen equipment, as well as corporate donations. The 2000 census found that there were 52,000 seniors in the Pinal-Gila area of Pinal County, but estimates put that number at 200,000 by the year 2025. Guerrero said efforts should be proactive now to be able to help people in the future.

Volunteers and businesses that can contribute money or time can contact Meals on Wheels by calling (800) 293-9393 or by emailing [email protected].

Photo by Carrie Vargas