Cowlitz Bank Employees give back through meals on wheels Photo courtesy of Doug Koenig, CAP Meals on Wheels coordinator Lisa Chavez presents a Certificate of Appreciation to Cowlitz Bank employees John Karnofski and Christa James, and other Cowlitz Bank staff who deliver hot meals one day a week. From bottom left going up the stairs are Rachelle Maryott, Stephanie Januscheitis, Patty Keatley, and Lisa Nathan. Not pictured is Alex Nelson, Lynda Larrabee, Terri Rogers and Jennifer Gonzales. The (Longview) Daily News, April 15, 2008 Since January, teams of two Cowlitz Bank employees have been delivering Meals on Wheels every Friday to homebound senior citizens. "Cowlitz Bank is working to take a more visible role within the community," Christa James, the bank's marketing officer, said in a press release from CAP. James and 10 other bank employees take turns delivering hot meals prepared in CAP's central kitchen to 11 seniors between 10:30 a.m. and noon Fridays. The program started at the bank after employees attended one of CAP's monthly Business Lunch Tours where they learned about the Meals on Wheels program and became interested in volunteering. "It's a really great opportunity for busy people to volunteer on their lunch hour," said Lisa Chavez, who coordinates CAP's senior nutrition programs. "They all seem to be really enjoying it." The Cowlitz Bank staff agrees. "The seniors are so nice to us," Stephanie Januscheitis said. "We may be the only people they see that day." The teams have the same route. "You really get to know the people," said Rachelle Maryott, a customer service representative at Cowlitz Bank. Maryott coordinates the bank's teams and sends the schedule a month in advance to Chavez. Like all CAP volunteers, they are reimbursed for their mileage at the current rate of 50.5 cents per mile. This month staff from the Cowlitz Bank branch in Castle Rock will begin helping at another CAP program, the Senior Community Lunch that meets each Wednesday in the Senior Center. "Over the past two years we have been exploring different ways that CAP and local businesses can work together to the benefit of each, and for the benefit of the community," Executive Director Ilona Kerby said. Kerby cited CAP's relationship with Cowlitz Bank, Comcast, Red Canoe and Columbia Bank as examples of how the social service agency is partnering with local businesses. Chavez is enthusiastic about the relationship. "Cowlitz Bank has set a great example, and we'd like to see other businesses volunteer by taking one lunch hour a week to help some wonderful older people." But the benefit isn't just to the shut-in seniors, said James. "It's good for our staff as well, getting us out of our groove and into the community."