Today: Eat out to help seniors eat in

Locals looking for an excuse to eat out mid-week can now fill their stomachs and ease their guilt on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at a “Dine Out” fundraiser to support Meals on Wheels, a nonprofit that cooks, packages, and delivers nutritious meals to people who cannot leave their homes.

“Dine Out” is Meals on Wheels’ sixth annual community fundraiser. Local restaurants across the Peninsula will contribute 10 percent of proceeds – either during the full day or evening, depending on location – to Meals on Wheels.

Menlo Park restaurants participating include Amici’s East Coast Pizzeria, Bradley’s Fine Diner, Carpaccio, Cafe Zoe, El Cerrito Mexican restaurant, Luttickens After 5, Menlo Grill, Piccolo Ristorante Italiano, and Trellis. Other participating restaurants are the Parkside Grille in Portola Valley and Alice’s Restaurant, The Little Store and Woodside Bakery in Woodside.

Approximately 35 volunteers and nine staff members work together to cook, package, and deliver 1,300 meals to homebound seniors living between Belmont and East Palo Alto, said Marilyn Baker-Venturini, director of Meals on Wheels.

She said many of the clients it serves depend on the meals provided: most receive meals Monday through Friday, and about 30 percent receive meals each weekend.

“I think what people don’t realize is how needy some of our older adults are,” she said.

“We have seniors who are actually hungry and need the support of the community. It makes a huge difference in their lives.”

There will also be a raffle featuring two prizes of $500 in restaurant gift certificates. Raffle tickets can be purchased at Little House at 800 Middle Ave., Menlo Park; Rosener House at 500 Arbor Rd., Menlo Park, or by contacting Cathy Duhring at 650-326-2025 ext. 238.

Visit the Meals on Wheels website for the full list of participating restaurants.