Geoffrey (Jim) Marshall enjoys cooking up a healthy meal for dinner each evening - in just three minutes flat.
Marshall, 86, is a fan of the Meals on Wheels program that's offered by the Seniors Services Society in New Westminster. Each weekday, friendly volunteers deliver a tasty meal to his home.
"What I like about it is the vegetables are freshly cooked," he said. "Other people that deliver meals, they are frozen meals."
Marshall's meal is still warm when volunteers deliver it. While some Meals on Wheels clients dig in right away, Marshall prefers to save his meal for dinner.
"I save mine till 5 o'clock," he said. "I put it in the microwave for three minutes and Bob's your uncle, as they say."
The Seniors Services Society aims to ensure the program is available for all who need a meal delivered to their home. Individuals with mobility challenges, sight impairments and chronic illness are among the seniors who require a meal delivery service.
"This essential program serves 47 people, with numbers growing every day; 798 meals were delivered in the month of January by 29 dedicated volunteers who have 462 hours of their time," said office administrator Helena Quo Vadis Mex in an email to The Record. "But this program is not just about a hot meal, it is also a social visit for someone who is otherwise isolated or homebound and also acts as a safety check for our most vulnerable population."
The Seniors Services Society is holding its first major fundraising event on Wednesday, March 27 to raise funds for the Meals on Wheels program, which is in dire need of funding. The goal is to raise $10,000.
"This valuable program is running at a $12,000 deficit," Quo Vadis Mex wrote.
"We have so many low-income seniors in our community that require a service like this that our ability to subsidize cost is crucial."
The March 27 fundraiser is taking place at Starlight Casino, which is also the place that the program's meals are prepared.
"Ticket sales are so sadly low," Quo Vadis Mex told The Record.
"We have sold 17 tickets. The goal is to sell 200 tickets."
The fundraiser features a three-course meal, a silent auction, a 50/50 draw and live entertainment featuring Darren Lee, a former world Elvis champion who has performed in Las Vegas.
"I think it's going to be a lot of fun," Quo Vadis Mex said. "We have hired a world famous Elvis impersonator. He has won championships for years and years."
The society had invited Marshall to speak at the fundraiser, but he's not up to attending at this time.
"It's too late for me," he smiled. "I had an operation just before Christmas for my colon. It really knocked me down."
Tickets to the March 27 fundraiser are $85. Upon request, tax receipts can be issued for a portion of the tickets.
For tickets or information, call the Seniors Services Society at 604520-6621.
