Silver Valley Meals on Wheels receives $20,000 donation
Darrell Lemieux poses with a Dave Smith banner with some of the Pinochle Club members at the Osburn Senior Center. In December, Dave Smith Motors donated $20,000 to keep Silver Valley Meals on Wheels going throughout 2024.
Courtesy photo
OSBURN — Before the new year began, the Silver Valley Seniors Meals on Wheels program was starting in excellent shape to supplement the program.
Darrell Lemieux coordinates the Meals on Wheels program and said the program received a surprise donation of $20,000 from Dave Smith Motors.
“We’ve gotten it in the past, and I thought, ‘Gosh, well, we never approached them or anything.’ They just said you’re on our list,” Lemieux said.
After holding a fundraiser to support the program in 2024 through the Festival of Trees at the Shoshone County Courthouse and the Osburn Senior Center, Lemieux said the agency wasn’t expecting additional support so soon, but that the funds would carry them far into 2024.
“That will probably last us about 10 months or so at least,” Lemieux said. “Some people just can’t afford the meals, but I still feed them whether they can afford it or not. That (donation) covers a lot,” he said.
The Silver Valley program feeds 90 people daily at the Senior Center at 726 E. Mullan Ave., Osburn, but there are also four other locations in Mullan, Kellogg, Pinehurst and Rose Lake that have between 10 and 25 people fed, as well.
Along with Lemieux, Silver Valley Meals on Wheels also employs four drivers, a second cook and an office administrator.
“I just want to show my appreciation,” Lemieux said.