FAIRBANKS SENIOR CENTER IS "LIGHTING UP THE LIVES OF OUR ELDERS" THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

Fairbanks Senior Center is “lighting up the lives of our elders” this holiday season—joining a powerful year-end giving campaign to stop senior hunger in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Your support to the Meals on Wheels program today can turn a senior’s day into a lifeline—ending senior hunger and isolation in FAIRBANKS, one meal, one visit, one act of kindness at a time!

Last year’s budget cuts hit hard, forcing the Fairbanks Senior Center to make painful decisions and stretch every dollar farther than ever before. The impact was immediate and deeply felt—fewer resources, and a growing list of seniors left waiting. Today, 35 homebound individuals remain on our Meals on Wheels waitlist, hoping for the day their doorbell rings with a warm meal and a friendly face. As the Senior Center’s Meals on Wheels program stepped into the new fiscal year on July 1st, our commitment to serving homebound seniors remained unwavering. These are our neighbors, our elders, and the heart of our community—individuals who rely on us not just for nourishment, but for connection and care. Every meal delivered is a lifeline, a reminder that they are not forgotten. Yet, despite our dedication, the road has been anything but smooth.

We need your help. Whether it’s through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word, every action counts. With community support, we can reduce the waitlist, restore services, and ensure that no senior in Fairbanks goes hungry or feels forgotten. Together, we can turn budget cuts into renewed hope and transform lonely days into moments of connection.

“Meals on Wheels is more than a meal—it’s a lifeline,” says Darlene Supplee, Executive Director of the Fairbanks Senior Center. “Now more than ever, Meals on Wheels plays a crucial role in protecting our local seniors. Each delivery brings not only nourishment, but a friendly smile and a wellness check that directly combats senior hunger and isolation. It’s how we support our neighbors, loved ones, and family members who need help to live safely at home.”

The Fairbanks Senior Center’s Campaign will include various activities throughout the month of November and throughout December, including a comprehensive social media and traditional media campaign and partnerships with a multitude of local businesses and organizations.

For more information on how you can volunteer, contribute, or speak out for the seniors in Fairbanks during this Year-End Giving season, visit fairbanksseniorcenter.org. Together, we can help our seniors within the community by being the light and helping deliver smiles!

About our Meals on Wheels program:

For more than 52 years, the Fairbanks Senior Center’s Meals on Wheels program has been a lifeline across the Fairbanks North Star Borough—delivering meals from Fairbanks to North Pole with care and compassion. Since reopening our doors in June 2024, we’ve witnessed a surge in need among local seniors, and we’re committed to reaching as many as we can. Our dining room is once again filled with laughter and connection during congregate lunches, a testament to the resilience and spirit of our community. Reopening has revealed just how many seniors rely on our services—especially those homebound pioneers who depend on daily meals to live safely and independently. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helped make this return possible, and we invite you to stand with us as we continue this vital mission.

Since January 1973, the Fairbanks Senior Center has proudly operated the first Meals on Wheels program in Alaska’s Interior—delivering thousands of meals to homebound seniors across the region. In FY2025 alone, we served over 63,000 meals through both home deliveries and congregate lunches, each one a moment of care and connection. With Fairbanks now home to more than 18,000 seniors, the need has never been greater. This holiday season, we invite you to help us honor 52 years of service by supporting our elders’ desire to age with dignity in the comfort of their own homes. Your generosity ensures no senior goes hungry—and every smile is made possible.

2025 Schedule of Year-End Giving Events:

• November 3rd – December 31^st, 2025 Year-End Giving Campaign: This holiday season, let’s fill every plate and every heart—end the hunger for Fairbanks seniors with Meals on Wheels. No one should go hungry when joy is meant to be shared!
• November 7^th – Fairbanks Senior Center Annual Meeting - Your Opinion Matters! Join the Fairbanks Senior Center and the Board of Directors for the 2025 Annual Meeting starting at 11:00 am, with Salisbury Steak being served for lunch starting at 11:30.
• November 11^th – Happy Veteran’s Day! Thank you for your service!
• November 27^th & 28^th - Happy Thanksgiving! (The Fairbanks Senior Center will be closed Thursday, November 27^th and Friday, November 28th, for the Thanksgiving holiday.)
• December 2^nd, Giving Tuesday, & December 4^th, National Cookie Day - This Giving Tuesday and National Cookie Day, help the Fairbanks Senior Center spread joy—one sweet bite at a time. We’re calling on our community to donate fresh produce (think apples, bananas, oranges—oh my!) and prepackaged cookies or desserts. These simple gifts bring big smiles to the 200 homebound seniors we serve daily through Meals on Wheels. Right now, we can’t always include a cookie with every meal—but with your help, we can change that. Prepackaged goodies from Costco, Safeway, or Fred Meyer are always a hit. Let’s make sure every senior gets a nourishing meal and a little something sweet to brighten their day. Because sometimes, a cookie is more than dessert—it’s a reminder that someone cares.
• December 6^th – Fairbanks Senior Center Christmas Party 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
• December 15^th – Check on your Elderly Neighbor Week - This holiday season, take a moment to check in on a neighbor—it’s a simple act that can mean the world. Whether it’s a cheerful phone call or a small gift delivered with a smile, your kindness can brighten someone’s day. It’s also the perfect time to consider joining our Silver Squad Wellness Caller team, where volunteers connect with homebound seniors in our community to offer companionship and care. If you’re interested in making a meaningful difference, reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator, Ashley, at (907) 452-2563. She’d be delighted to share how you can help bring warmth and connection to those who need it most.
• December 25^th & 26^th – Merry Christmas! (The Fairbanks Senior Center will be closed Thursday, December 25^th and Friday, December 26^th, for the Christmas holiday.)
• December 31^st – New Year’s Eve – Happy New Year! As we wrap up our Year-End Giving Campaign on New Year's Eve, we're closing the year with deep gratitude and joyful reflection. We invite you to celebrate safely, embrace the spirit of the season, and welcome the New Year with hope, happiness, and new possibilities. Here's to a bright beginning and meaningful moments ahead!