Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy made a visit to the Soldotna Senior Center on Friday to celebrate the purchase of two new Meals on Wheels vehicles.

“I just appreciate having conversations with our seniors,” the governor said during a reception. “It’s an honor just to be here with you (and) spend a little time with you, and so thanks for carving some time out of your day.”

In an effort to enhance its at-home meal delivery service, the Soldotna Senior Center in March used funding from the federal American Rescue Plan to purchase two Ford Edge automobiles for $80,000.

Loretta Knudson-Spalding, the executive director of the center, said she’s been enjoying the new wheels. The program delivers around 2,200 meals per month, she said.

At the event Friday, she said she wanted to be able to express her gratitude for the grant that made the new cars possible.

“We want to showcase our senior center and some of the things that are going on here,” Knudson-Spalding said. “And again, (we) just want to thank the governor and the Legislature for our opportunity to have these funds.”

Reach reporter Camille Botello at camille.botello@peninsulaclarion.com.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy attends a Meals on Wheels event at the Soldotna Senior Center on Friday, May 6, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)