Event relieves funding gap faced by seniors
Conditions were perfect and enthusiasm high for the 31st Love Run held June 1 in Westlake Village. Presented by Logix Federal Credit Union, this year’s family-friendly Love Run included 5K, 10K and 1-mile runs through the streets of Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks.
The races drew almost 2,000 runners and walkers, with 500 spectators and volunteers on the sidelines. Proceeds of the event will benefit the Thousand Oaks-based Meals on Wheels program, which delivers more than 65,000 meals each year to some 450 homebound seniors.
Meals on Wheels is run by Senior Concerns, a 50-year-old organization that gives assistance to approximately 13,000 seniors and their family caregivers annually in Agoura Hills, Lake Sherwood, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Oak Park, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village.
“The Love Run exemplifies our community’s dedication to supporting seniors, demonstrating that together, we can make a meaningful difference in their lives,” said Andrea Gallagher, Senior Concerns president.
“The energy, smiles, and laughter from participants of all ages made it a truly joyful and unforgettable day for everyone involved,” Gallagher said.
Food insecurity is a serious challenge that threatens the area’s older population. During the pandemic, demand for meals grew from 2,400 meals per month to 6,000 and continues to stay at over 6,500 a month. Meanwhile, federal funding cuts have threatened critical services for older Americans such as Meals On Wheels, the organization says.
The program faces an annual deficit of $150,000, making this year’s Love Run pivotal in the three-decade-history of the event.
For information about the cause, go to seniorconcerns.org
-John Loesing
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