Kristen Crouthamel of the 10 Squared Women organization presents a check in the amount of $15,200 to Kim Betts and Dennis Flanery for the Congregate Meals and Meals on Wheels programs.
Special to the Times Vedette
The 10 Squared Women of Guthrie County group held its 2026 third quarter meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at B&B Marketplace in Panora. The group welcomed one new member this quarter.
The group announced that a total of $15,200 has been awarded to the Guthrie County Hospital Foundation, specifically for the Meals On Wheels and Congregate Meal programs. This donation consists of member contributions and several employer matches. Member Sue Merryman nominated the Meals on Wheels program, and Diane Flanery gave the presentation.
Guthrie County Hospital (GCH) provides more than 10,000 meals per year in Guthrie Center and Panora through the Congregate Meals and Meals on Wheels programs. With reduced government funding, the hospital would lose more than $20,000 this year on the two meal programs. The hospital is constantly searching for additional funding sources to ensure they can continue providing this valuable service in our communities.
The Meals on Wheels Program is more than a meal. It is possibly the only warm nutritious meal some recipients receive each day. Many times, it is the only human connection they have daily and provides a wellness check that they are well and safe.
“Guthrie County Hospital especially wants to thank the Guthrie County Women’s 10 Squared Organization for their generous donation to the Meals on Wheels Program,” GCH Foundation Director Dennis Flanery said.
For more information and/or ways to help support the programs, contact Flanery at 641-332-3879.
10 Squared Women focuses on donating funds to local organizations that commit to putting those dollars to work right here in Guthrie County. The funds support a wide variety of projects that benefit communities and residents throughout the county. Including this quarter’s donation, the group has contributed a total of $475,700 since its inception in 2017.
The 10 Squared Women group meets quarterly on the fourth Tuesday in February, May, August and November. Members in attendance hear from three organizations drawn at random from a pool of member-nominated organizations and then vote that night on the winning cause. The final meeting of 2026 will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 17 (held a week early due to Thanksgiving), and the location is still to be determined. Members will receive an email and calendar invitation with the location details, or they can check the posts on Facebook and Next Door.
The group currently has 142 members and approximately 20 organizations nominated. To learn how to get involved, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/10squaredwomengc or email 10squaredgc@gmail.com. Membership forms and Frequently Asked Questions can be found on their Facebook page or by contacting them through Facebook or email.