(As submitted by Wood County Committee on Aging)
Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc. (WCCOA) is proud to announce that it has received a $1250 grant award from Meals on Wheels America for its participation in the 14th Annual March for Meals campaign. This past March was WCCOA’s ninth year participating in the national Meals on Wheels awareness campaign designed to celebrate the proven collaboration of local community organizations, businesses, all levels of government and compassionate individuals to ensure that our seniors are not forgotten.
“It is events like this that helps to increase awareness of how important our services and programs are,” said Angie Bradford, Director of Food Service. “The participation we receive from elected officials and other community champions for this event help to spread the word of the importance of a nutritious, hot lunch and daily check to our frail, homebound older adults.”
Throughout the month of March elected officials, and other community champions, including realtors and bankers, delivered home delivered meals out of one of WCCOA’s seven senior centers and the production kitchen.
Nearly $400,000 has been granted to 265 local Meals on Wheels programs and one Meals on Wheels America-affiliated State Association based on their March for Meals efforts. This year’s grants were made possible through the generosity of Subaru of America, Inc. and its eighth annual Share the Love Event. During the event held from November 19, 2015 through January 2, 2016, $250 was donated to a customer’s choice of a national or hometown charity for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased.
Meals on Wheels America has been a participating national charity since the event’s inception in 2008.
“The March for Meals grant program is our way of recognizing Meals on Wheels America Members for their efforts to raise awareness and much-needed support for the critical service they provide their communities,” said Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander. “Together, we can change the way this country cares for its seniors.”
The annual March for Meals campaign is an effort led by Meals on Wheels America to present opportunities for volunteers, businesses and governments to support seniors in a variety of ways that make communities stronger, safer and healthier. For more information, visit marchformeals.com.
Wood County Committee on Aging, Inc. provides meals, programs, and services daily (Monday- Friday) to the 60 year and older population, throughout Wood County. To receive more information about these services or others that WCCOA has to offer please call 419-353-5661 or 1-800-367-4935.
Meals on Wheels America is the oldest and largest national organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. This network exists in virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education, research and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
