Grillin’ & Dealin’ for Mealin on Wheelin’

The Dalles Elks made quite a donation to Meals on Wheels today, March 27. Through a year of fundraising members donated over $8,200. That’s a lot of gravy!

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., March 27, 2025 — The Dalles Elks Lodge 303 with its 100 plus members have been hard at it this past year, collecting tips, grilling burgers and dealing cards. 

It’s all part of their magic giving recipe and all those events stack up.

Today, March 27,  The Elks Lodge gave more than $8,200 to the Meals on Wheels program at the Mid-Columbia Senior Center at the community meal held at noon.

It was quite a celebration as the program run by mostly volunteers delivers cost-effective meals for our local seniors.  

Exalted Ruler Bill Seymour said Elks collected tips at hamburger bashes and they were grilling up all over the place including the Junior Livestock Show in Tygh Valley and Wasco County Fair. Members were also upping the ante at the poker table with weekly games and monthly tournaments with a portion of proceeds going to the stock pot. 

“It was a year-long fundraiser,” he said noting they have just over 100 members. “That’s $100 to $80 per member, and that’s pretty good.”

Meals on Wheels is currently serving around 150 people daily with their home deliveries. They also serve around 40 people Monday through Friday in the dining room at the Senior Center.
For anyone over 60 on site or on the route, the suggested donation is just $4 a meal.