Meals on Wheels Port Colborne Inc. is celebrating more than 50 years of providing food and support to seniors and people with disabilities in Port Colborne, Ontario, marking the milestone during its March for Meals 2026 campaign.
The local program was started in November 1969 by Betty Smyth and Irene Pakrul after they were approached by a nursing home administrator to coordinate the service. Today, more than 55 volunteers deliver hot and frozen meals across the community and into Wainfleet. One dedicated volunteer, Lorena Saxton, has been helping deliver food since the group first started more than five decades ago.
The group provides hot meals for $9 and frozen options for $7.50 to help people who are at risk of not eating well. These meals are currently supplied by Niagara Ina Grafton Gage Village, which is a retirement home in St. Catharines. Along with the food, volunteers provide safety checks and a social connection for residents who live alone.
Executive Director Kim Beauparlant returned to lead the organization in 2024 to help steady the service after it faced significant financial losses due to a fraud case. The charity operates from its office at 953 Elm Street and receives support from the Ministry of Health and the United Way of Niagara. To help raise money for the program, the group is holding the Tim Kennedy Memorial Golf Tournament on June 15, 2026.
