Your table is waiting
About Us
From Garibaldi to Nehalem, Meals for Seniors, Inc. in Rockaway Beach, Oregon has been serving hot, freshly cooked and nutritious meals to the 55 and over community since 2003.
“Our Mission is to enable senior citizens of North Tillamook County to continue living independently in their own homes by providing access to nutritious meals and social occasions.
Who We Serve
Our goal is to provide senior citizens in the area a place to congregate, socialize, be entertained and have access to an appetizing and nutritious dining experience.
We serve senior citizens in North Tillamook County. Our patrons come from Nehalem, Wheeler, Brighton, Nedonna, Rockaway Beach, Twin Rocks, Barview, Garibaldi and from unincorporated areas of the North County. Our target population is senior citizens, with a special dedication to seniors who are home bound.
For those persons who are unable to come to the meal site, we deliver a freshly prepared, complete packaged meal, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Many of these homebound are not able to shop; thus, we also deliver additional frozen meals and snacks so they have meals for six days of the week.
A little Bit About Us
Meals for Seniors, Inc. was formed in early 2003 when some community leaders saw a need to reach out to senior citizens and provide healthy meals – and that need was not being met. There were too many vulnerable and isolated seniors to not take action. They discussed options and ultimately decided “to do it ourselves”.
Articles of Incorporation as a non-profit organization were filed with the State of Oregon on June 25, 2003 by community leaders Phyllis Baker, Raymond Robinson and Robert Dempster.
By-Laws were prepared and adopted on September 8, 2003. We were granted non-profit status as a 501 (C) (3) corporation by the Federal Government on February 26, 2004.
The initial Board of Directors were:
Phyllis Baker, President
Ruth Daugherty
Robert Dempster
Susan Dempster
Joanne Dickson Aagard
Stephen Press
Raymond Robinson
James Watts
Together they laid the foundation for our organization, which has served meals continuously, 52 weeks a year, since 2003.
How we are governed: BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Meals for Seniors, Inc. is managed by a 13-member volunteer Board of Directors who serve two-year terms. The Board meets monthly and manages all aspects of the corporation. In addition, all members of the Board are active in every aspect of the operation – serving as kitchen workers, drivers, fundraisers, etc. Meals for Seniors Board members volunteered a total of 3,043 hours in 2024.
Current members of the Board are:
Theresa Bruneau, President – she and her husband Leon retired after 43 years in the construction business in Portland and on the Oregon coast. Teri directs Bridge games in Tillamook. She lives in Rockaway Beach.
John Garcia, Vice-President - is a retired math and technology teacher. He lives in Rockaway Beach.
Judi Strayer, Treasurer - is a retired General Manager for a flood protection district in Longview, Washington. She lives in Rockaway Beach and Longview, Washington.
Barbara Riley, Secretary - Barb is a retired Health Systems Specialist and worked at the Portland Veterans Medical Center. She lives in Rockaway Beach.
Besides these four officers, other Board members are:
Penny Cheek is the retired co-owner of Rick’s Roadhouse; a bar and grill located in Rockaway Beach. She serves on the City of Rockaway Beach City Council and lives in Rockaway Beach.
Jeanne LeJeune is retired from an engineering consulting company where she managed strategic planning and business development. She lives in Rockaway Beach and Portland.
Gigi Levitt is the retired co-owner of Upper Crust Pizza restaurant in Rockaway Beach and co-owner of Coastline Properties. She lives in Rockaway Beach.
John Luce is a retired teacher (English as a Second Language - ESL). He is a Hope Chest volunteer and is also involved in the Rockaway Beach Lions. He lives in Rockaway Beach.
Judy Sours is a broker/realtor with RE/MAX Homesource in Rockaway Beach and lives in Bay City.
Marlene Tharp worked in the hospitality industry in catering for 25 years. She is also a volunteer with her church. She lives in Rockaway Beach.
Sandy Johnson is a retired attorney and business owner. She has served on various boards and committees throughout her career. She currently is a co-coordinator for the Rockaway Beach Volunteers and serves on the City of Rockaway Beach Planning Commission.
Mary Mertz is a retired Education Administrator who worked as an Assistant Superintendent, Director of Special Education, and an Educational Consultant. She is also the local coordinator for David’s Chair, and lives in Rockaway Beach.
Janeen McIlvenna is retired co-owner of Upper Crust Pizza restaurant in Rockaway Beach. Former Operations Manager for a worldwide chemical distribution company. President and co-owner of Coastline properties.
Robert Dempster, Honorary Board Member – Bob was a founding member of MFS, Inc. in 2003 and served on the board until transitioning to Honorary Board Member in 2024. Bob is a retired restaurant owner. Bob filled every position on the Board and in our kitchen during his tenure, including “cooks hat” in our early days. He continues to be active in the Rockaway Lions Club and lives in Rockaway Beach.
Financials
Meals for Seniors, Inc. approved the 2025 Budget of $160,450. Our food prices continue to increase each year. We are working hard to maintain our efforts and with the generosity of our community and grantors, we are maintaining all services. We will never give up!
We have Federal 501 (c) (3) tax exempt status and our financials are audited each year by the Weitman & Simpson, LLC, of Tillamook, Oregon.
Revenues generally are as follows:
General Donations
This includes our largest donor, the Hope Chest, which is another non-profit organization operating two thrift stores, one in Rockaway Beach and the other in Nehalem, businesses who host coin canisters, general donations from individuals and supportive organizations, the Fred Meyer Community Rewards Program, and in 2020 we began participating in the Oregon Bottle Drop Program.
Grants
Meals for Seniors, Inc. has been fortunate to receive grants from Foundations or businesses. Examples of generous grantors are:
Eugene Schmuck Foundation
Tillamook County Creamery Association
City of Rockaway Beach
Re/Max Equity Group Foundation
Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund
Tillamook PUD
A Portland foundation that wishes to remain anonymous.
Participant’s Contributions
There is a suggested $4 donation for each meal from participants. However, no one is ever turned away for inability to contribute.
Fundraisers
Meals for Seniors, Inc. hosts several major fundraisers each year which include our popular French Toast Breakfasts and Special Dinner events. The Breakfasts are held on the Saturdays of major holiday weekends throughout the year and the Dinner is held in the Winter of each year. Please check our EVENTS page on this website.
In addition, we participate in the Tillamook PUD Bill Insert Program. This occurs in the Fall of each year. The Tillamook PUD inserts a flyer in their monthly bill in which information is provided about a community organization and how to support it. Our bill insert is typically included in the September billing. We also participate in the Tillamook County Giving Guide every Fall.
Support
As mentioned above, Meals for Seniors, Inc. is supported by several organizations, businesses, and the community on an on-going basis. We would like to thank and honor the following: (clickable links)
Tillamook Creamery Association
Nike, Intel, and Tillamook Creamery Association contribute through their Employee Match Programs