Moose taco meal to raise funds for senior center

Local seniors will be holding a moose-meat, Mexican-style fundraiser dinner this weekend to fill out the Wrangell Senior Center larder.

The dinner is scheduled for Saturday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Made from scratch by volunteers in the center kitchen, Wilma Leslie explained the main courses will be moose-meat tacos, chicken enchiladas and chili rellenos (stuffed peppers).

Dinners will be available for pick-up from the center, or else can be delivered as far as Shoemaker Bay for an additional fee.

The center provides a place for community elders to meet, eat and socialize. Operated through Southeast Senior Services, it primarily gets its funding through Catholic Community Services in Juneau. Each year volunteers add to that allocation with different events, which enhances its available menu options and activities.

“It allows us to serve a dessert sometimes, and in general helps the center,” said Leslie, who does the center’s outreach. “The senior center tries to do three fundraisers a year. This one is our first.”

The other two events are the silent auction at Christmastime, and the tie-die booth during July 4 festivities. Though the multi-colored clothing will still be for sale this July, Leslie said the center may try to branch out with cinnamon rolls.

The new fundraiser helps fill the center’s need during the spring, and the timing avoids conflicting with other upcoming events.

“We were just looking for a fundraiser that wouldn’t conflict with any other organization,” Leslie said.

Seized moose taken by wildlife management often gets donated to the center, in addition to other contributions. A bumper crop of moose taken in the area last year ended up filling their freezer. “We got a lot of moose donated last year,” Leslie explained.

While things are being prepped for the weekend, the center is still looking for some key ingredients. “Right now we need chicken and cheese.” Additional ingredients are listed at the town’s two supermarkets, near the check stands. Donations can be dropped off at the Senior Center during business hours, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.