Southwest Greensburg Meals on Wheels gets Fresh Paint Days grant
An organization that delivers midday meals to the elderly and disabled in central Westmoreland County will be able to improve the exterior of its headquarters thanks to Greensburg-based Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
Tri-City Meals on Wheels is among eight grant recipients chosen from across the state for the 2019 Fresh Paint Days Pennsylvania program.
With assistance from the program, the local Meals on Wheels group in September will apply fresh white paint to the exterior of its block building on Southwest Greensburg’s Foster Street.
“We’ll be painting the whole outside of the building,” Tri-City Meals on Wheels Treasurer Cathy Duez said. “We’re also planning on painting the doors,” which are red.
A local Boy Scout painted the building several years ago as an Eagle Scout project, Duez said, noting, “It’s in need again.”
The Meals on Wheels group has operated from the building since 1970, she said. It delivers weekday meals to senior citizens in Greensburg, Fort Allen, West Point, Jeannette and Harrison City. Each meal costs $3.50 and includes a tray of hot foods along with bread, dessert and milk.
“Between five and six people come in every morning to cook the meals,” Duez said, noting more than 120 other volunteers distribute the meals on delivery routes.
To request meal service, call 724-837-6117 between 7 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. weekdays.
Through the Fresh Paint Days program, Tri-City Meals on Wheels will receive up to 20 gallons of paint, donated by Behr, and a gift card for painting supplies, provided by The Home Depot Foundation.
Other grant recipients in Western Pennsylvania include Lawrence County Partners for Preservation, which will paint the Lawrence County United Way office, and Patterson Heights Borough in Beaver County, which will paint its municipal building.
“We know that structures that are maintained cultivate community pride, and we are excited to see so many community members who are willing to roll up their sleeves and make a difference in their communities,” said Shannon Reiter, president of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “Something as simple as a fresh coat of paint on a community structure can help reverse the negative effects of blight and sends a strong message that we care about our communities.”
Visit keeppabeautiful.org for more information about the Greensburg nonprofit and its programs.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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