Breckenridge Village of Tyler (BVT) residents and staff deliver meals with Meals on Wheels.

Local nonprofit Meals on Wheels will kick off its 50th year of ministry in East Texas in October with a gala at the new W.T. Brookshire Conference Center.

Meals on Wheels East Texas delivered its first meal on Oct. 15, 1973. Fifty years later, the organization is still dedicated to the same mission but has gone from serving 30 clients in Tyler at onset to over 2,700 today across seven counties, according to Executive Director Tiffany Damskov.

“Over the years, we have experienced challenges and triumphs, but through it all, our commitment to delivering nutritious meals and companionship to those in need has continued,” she said. “We invite the community to come together to honor our shared history and look forward to securing a sustainable future, as we embark on the next 50 years of serving with love and compassion.”

Development Director Collin Taylor said the organization is grateful to those already signed up to support the big event.

“We are so grateful to those companies and individuals who have already signed up to sponsor our 50th Anniversary Golden Gala,” he said. “We continue to add items to our silent and live auctions each day, so check our event site often to see all the great items donated.”

The organization offers several appealing items for the auctions such as Dallas Symphony Orchestra tickets, a New York City Long Weekend trip, Rangers and Astros signed memorabilia, custom artwork created by a Tyler Meals on Wheels client, a Puerto Vallarta trip, and much more.

“It is so meaningful to dream about the possibilities regarding the bright future of Meals on Wheels East Texas in service to our older East Texans. Our goal is to raise more than $200,000,” Taylor said. “We are well on our way, but we need the support of our community to get there. These funds will be used to offset the impact of inflation on the cost of food and fuel that threatens to constrain us daily.”

The Meals on Wheels East Texas 50th Anniversary Golden Gala will take place on Oct. 7 at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center located at 2000 West Front Street.

The Golden Gala will include a VIP Golden Hour at 5:30 p.m. for VIP ticket holders with doors opening at 6:30pm for dinner, live and silent auctions, and more.

Meals on Wheels East Texas serves over 2,700 client lunches each weekday in Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties.

For more information about the organization’s upcoming event, visit the Golden Gala webpage or call 903-593-7385.