LEWISTON — After learning about food insecurity among older people in their community, pre-kindergartners at Saint Dominic Academy designated the funds from their 2021 Spring Hop-athon to Meals on Wheels at SeniorsPlus.

For two minutes recently, the children hopped, rested, marched and cheered along to music. Each participant averaged more than 100 hops. The event ended with a cheer for the hoppers and a prayer for those they were honoring. With the support of their sponsors, they raised $840 for Meals on Wheels.

“It’s never too early for children to learn about empathy, volunteering, and philanthropy,” said Betsy Sawyer-Manter, CEO and president of SeniorsPlus, according to a news release from SeniorsPlus. “And it definitely helps to have boundless energy to put to good work. Many thanks to all the hoppers.”

Established in 1972 and headquartered in Lewiston, SeniorsPlus is the Western Maine designated Area Agency on Aging covering Franklin, Oxford and Androscoggin counties. The overall program goal of SeniorsPlus is to assist older people and adults with disabilities in its tri-county area to remain safely at home for as long as possible. The mission of SeniorsPlus is to enrich the lives of older people and adults with disabilities, their families and communities, and to support them to make informed choices.