(Atlantic, Iowa) -Cass County Meals on Wheels is celebrating its Golden Anniversary. On May 5, 1973, a presentation was made to The Leopards, a group interested in community betterment, regarding the possibility of establishing a Meals on Wheels organization to serve Cass County.  An organizational meeting was held at Cass County Hospital on July 19, 1973, to appoint an initial, temporary board of directors.  The first meeting of the Board of Directors occurred on August 1, 1973, with Tom Pluhacek elected as temporary Chairman and LaVon Eblen as temporary Secretary.  The temporary board quickly adopted bylaws, and was incorporated on September 24, 1973.  The corporation subsequently applied for and received tax-exempt status as a 501(c)(3) organization.

A statement of purpose was adopted:  “to provide home delivered meals to elderly and disabled residents of Cass County”.   One county board would govern the program for the entire county, but local committees might be needed.  The initial Board of Directors consisted of individuals representing various communities and community leaders in Cass County. Board meetings and other events would be held in different communities in the county, with local key people invited to attend.  Meals would be delivered to homes by volunteer drivers five days a week, excluding weekends and holidays. The first meals (21) were delivered on October 15, 1973, to individuals in Griswold, Lewis, Anita, and Atlantic.

The Board of Directors would like to invite all who have served the organization during its 50 years, as directors, board members, volunteer drivers, and other roles, to its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner in October. Please call Sue Moser, Director, at (712) 250-0036, to provide her with your current contact information.  For a presentation on Meals on Wheels to your church or other organization, please contact Deb Lamb, President, at (712) 250-4791.