LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County's senior centers are once again working together to raise money for important nutrition programs for seniors.

Last year Lake County senior centers participated in “March for Meals” to raise funds for their Meals on Wheels programs.

The 2011 March for Meals effort raised more than $30,000, according to a report from the centers.

This year the local senior centers are hoping to exceed that amount so that the vital services they provide that bring independence and hope to homebound seniors can continue.

With many challenges like the rising cost of gasoline and food prices, as well as a growing senior population in need of their services, senior centers are working hard to make up the difference.

Hundreds of volunteers come to the senior centers every day to prepare and serve meals, deliver meals to the homebound, run thrift stores and provide outreach services to the thousands of seniors in the community.

The month of March has been designated to bring awareness to the community of the many services that the centers provide, and give an opportunity for everyone to help.

Each senior center is running its own March for Meals campaign and need the community to help in this effort.

Bringing a sponsorship packet to places of employment, family, church or any other group to help raise money can make a world of difference to the efforts of local senior centers.

Senior centers with meals programs can be contacted at the following phone numbers, or by stopping by Middletown, 707-987-3113; Highlands Senior Center in Clearlake, 707-994-3051; Live Oak Senior Center in Clearlake Oaks, 707-998-1950; Lucerne, 707-274-8779; and Lakeport, 707-263-4218.

More information can be found online at www.lcseniors.com .

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