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ADRC nutrition program receives $2,500 donation from Dunn Energy Cooperative; reports 34,725 meals served in 2025
Summary
Dunn County’s ADRC received a $2,500 donation from Dunn Energy Cooperative and reported 34,725 meals served in 2025. Staff urged residents who want donations to stay local to give directly to the county after noting national Meals on Wheels solicitations.
Bernie Allen, Dunn County’s aging and transportation programs manager, told the ADRC Nutrition Committee on Jan. 15 that Dunn Energy Cooperative donated $2,500 to support congregate dining sites and that staff have applied for an additional grant to replace a sink at the TanTara meal site.
Allen said Jolene, director of engagement at Dunn Energy Cooperative, stopped by with a ceremonial check and a real check. “I do have a check for you,” Allen recounted. The funds will go to congregate sites to help offset local costs.
The donation accompanies program totals Allen presented: 34,725 meals served in 2025 overall, including 30,983 meals at traditional sites (home-delivered and on-site dining) and 3,742 meals served through restaurant partners in Ridgeland and Sand Creek. Allen compared those figures with 36,017 total meals in 2024 and said the program has seen a modest shift toward more restaurant-site meals in recent months.
Committee members raised concerns about national solicitations from Meals on Wheels America. One member said they had received multiple mailings asking for donations “from Washington, D.C.” Allen told the group those solicitations go to the national organization and “would go to Meals on Wheels America,” not directly into Dunn County’s program. He advised donors who want their gifts to remain local to direct contributions to Dunn County so the money “will stay right here, and it'll go right towards our program expenses.”
Allen said the program is planning to make volunteer-recognition events annual and will wait to hear on the Dunn Energy Cooperative grant application in mid-April. The committee set the next Nutrition Committee meeting for May 18 at 1:00 p.m.
The ADRC advisory council also took a procedural vote during the meeting to approve the Nov. 17 minutes; a motion, second and an affirmative response were recorded and no opposition was voiced.
The nutrition report included operational details: Dairyland Cafe prepares meals that a site employee distributes to some homebound clients, and Sand Creek offers dine-in and carryout options with occasional carryout delivery support. Allen emphasized the program’s reliance on volunteers and the temperature and timing constraints that shape delivery routes.
Members encouraged staff to provide clear guidance to donors about how national solicitations differ from local giving and asked Allen to share information about what percentage of donated funds go to administrative fees when he can obtain it. The committee did not take further formal action on funding or program changes at the meeting.
