We all desire and deserve dignity, independence, and opportunity. We can’t always achieve these on our own, though. For thousands of Inland Northwest residents, a series of unique collaborations make them possible.
Every day, Meals on Wheels of Spokane and Greater Spokane County strive to meet the nutritional needs of home-bound elderly and disabled citizens. Together, they focus on fighting hunger and isolation; enabling independence in the comfort of one’s own home by delivering over 340,000 meals each year.
Just as Meals on Wheels provides a lifeline for the home-bound, TESH supports employment opportunities for the developmentally disabled, providing a lifeline that encourages a sense of independence. Since its inception in 1976, TESH has served over 8,000 children and adults with disabilities.
Utilizing their assembly skills for energy efficiency kits, Avista has partnered with TESH for many years. “TESH has been a great partner," said Energy Efficiency Program Manager, Ana Matthews. "They are meticulous with the construction of our kits and always deliver on time.” Matthews pointed out that TESH jumped into action after attendance exceeded expectations at this October’s Energy Assistance event. They saved the day by assembling 400 additional energy kits in record time.
This November, the three companies joined forces to meet additional needs in our community. TESH masterfully constructed nearly 1,000 Avista energy kits, housed in a reusable tote and complete with a warm blanket, two LED light bulbs, a night light, an energy use guide, and seasonal brochures. They delivered them to the Spokane area Meals on Wheels centers and as the kits made their way to residents, Clare Gaffney-Brown, communications manager at Greater Spokane County Meals on Wheels, shared, “We have been getting calls from clients about how thankful and excited they are to receive them. We are thrilled to distribute these to our clients for the winter and are so grateful for Avista’s support!”
Along with warm meals, Avista’s Meals on Wheels volunteers delivered the remaining kits during Thanksgiving week, furthering the connection between the agencies and our local residents. It takes a village, after all, to create a community where all individuals have the opportunity to be happy, healthy, and self-sufficient.