Meals on Wheels Linn, Benton, Lincoln (MOW), a program of Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments, and Girl Scouts© of Oregon and SW Washington (GSOSW) have partnered to provide donated Girl Scout Cookies to home-delivered and dining room clients. In this second year of partnership, the amount of donations of cookies from community members have more than tripled.
“Thank you to GSOSW and the generous donations from our community for making Cookiepalooza possible again this year,” said Executive Director Fred Abousleman, OCWCOG. “We are proud to partner with GSOSW, and with their support, provide another way to make our clients smile. Many of those whom we serve through the MOW program are unable to leave their homes and therefore do not have an opportunity to enjoy Girl Scout Cookies. This will be a welcome surprise.”
Through its Gift of Caring program, GSOSW has donated 3,468 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to brighten this summer season for older, homebound, and adults with disabilities throughout the Linn, Benton, and Lincoln County Region. These cookies will be included in the more than 3,895 meals that MOW serves and delivers each week. In 2017, 80 cases of cookies were donated; this year, 289 cases were donated.
Community members throughout the Linn, Benton, and Lincoln Region, as well as throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington, can opt to donate purchased cookies throughout the Girl Scout Cookie season (February and March). GSOSW and MOW plan to continue the partnership for many years to come.
“The Girl Scout Cookie Program helps to not only develop entrepreneurial skills in girls, but also fosters a lifelong commitment to giving back to others,” said Karen Hill, Chief Executive Officer of GSOSW. “The Gift of Caring program is one of the many ways in which GSOSW Girl Scouts give back.”
The Girl Scout Cookies will be served in the coming weeks at MOW’s 11 meal sites across the Region and to homebound clients. Delivery of the cookies would not be possible without Mr. Dane Sims, owner of Danes Auto Service, Albany, OR. Mr. Sims provided an in-kind donation, allowing for the use of a U-Haul© to deliver the cases of cookies to the meal sites.
For more information about Cookiepalooza or OCWCOG’s MOW program, contact Anita Lengacher at 541-967-8630 or visit www.OCWCOG.org/Meals.
For more information about Girl Scout’s Gift of Caring program, visit www.girlscoutsosw.org/giftofcaring.
