Don Quijote Restaurant hosted its fourth annual VNA Hospice NWI Meals on Wheels benefit dinner on Sunday, August 25. The event serves as a traditional fundraiser while educating the community and sharing stories about the program.
Bob Franko, CEO of VNA Hospice NWI, has high anticipation every year as this event inches closer.
“This is something that we look forward to every year,” Franko said. “We have about 250 people in our Meals on Wheels program. Every $125 that we raise today will feed a senior for a month. Food scarcity has become more of an issue in our community for the seniors, so this event is really important for us.”
Don Quijote has supported the mission for VNA Hospice’s Meals on Wheels program. The restaurant covers all of the event costs, allowing all of the funds raised to go directly to feeding seniors in need.
Franko is grateful for being able to work with people such as Carlos Rivero and Elena Jambrina, owners of Don Quijote.
“We love working with Carlos and Elena,” Franko said. “They are some of the best people I’ve ever met. We couldn’t raise money the way we’re able to without their generosity. It’s all about subsidizing the costs to feed the seniors so we can serve even more.”
Rivero has helped grow the program every year by matching grants from donations at the event. He’s constantly motivated to contribute to assisting this cause as much as he can.
“I really love doing this because it’s for a good cause,” Rivero said. “I believe in the program and think they are doing a fantastic job. It’s not about the amount that it costs. Hunger is the worst kind of suffering, and I’m all about making a difference for those who need help.”
Jambrina shares the same desires for the program. She’s noticed how the participation has increased enough to fill up the entire restaurant space when it’s time for this annual tradition.
“The more people hear about it, the more people want to participate in it,” Jambrina said. “It’s an exciting day when we can raise money and don’t have to worry about people getting fed.”
Meals on Wheels also wouldn’t be as successful without the hardworking volunteers that lead the charge. Karen Dorough and Mike Cygan are two volunteers who have relished the growth of the program in recent years.
“It’s a lot better for us now than just a few years ago,” Dorough said. “We started during the pandemic when we had to wear masks, put people’s food in a bag, and leave it at their doorway. Now, we get to actually interact and find out how everyone is doing. It’s become a more personal experience which we love the most.”
The personal connections and behind-the-scenes action have been the most outstanding parts for Cygan being a volunteer with the program.
“Everyone is very dedicated to this program,” Cygan said. “It’s great that we’re able to see what it’s doing for the people that we serve. Some people we serve are in wheelchairs or hospital beds. It’s heartwarming when we can deliver their meals directly and make their day.”
Meals on Wheels is also supported by many organizations serving as sponsors to give back to the program. The diamond sponsor is Urschel Laboratories. Companionship sponsors include Holladay Properties and Martin Binder Jeweler. Gratitude sponsors include WIMS Radio and Homecare Homebase. Gold sponsors include Benjamin F. Edwards and Strack & Van Til. Fellowship sponsors include 1st Source Bank, Shive Hattery, Inc., Hodges & Davis, Horizon Bank, and CAPTRUST.
“I can’t say enough about all of our volunteers and helping hands for this program,” Franko said. “We’ve had some of our sponsors that have helped out since we started up. Our volunteers go out and run 26 different routes across the county. There’s no way we could do that without that support.”
For more information regarding VNA Hospice NWI, you can visit its website.
