Meals on Wheels

March for Meals announced

Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley recently announced participation in a special March for Meals celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program, the federal legislation helping to fund community-based programs like Meals on Wheels.

Throughout March, MOWGLV will join the national Meals on Wheels network to raise awareness and rally support for this vital public-private partnership helping provide seniors throughout the Lehigh Valley with an essential service needed to remain healthy and independent at home.

“Medically-tailored meals delivered on a regular basis are vital to the good nutrition and independence of seniors in our community,” Victoria Coyle, CEO of Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley said. “Medical studies continue to show that diets tailored to the health condition of an individual help them to better manage overall health. Of course, the daily wellness checks and friendly outreach of our delivery volunteers is also critical to addressing social isolation.”

The annual March for Meals celebration commemorates the day in March of 1972 when President Nixon signed into law a measure amending the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older.

This year, Meals on Wheels programs from across the country are joining forces for the awareness campaign to celebrate 50 years of success and garner the support needed to ensure these critical programs can continue to address food insecurity and malnutrition, combat social isolation, enable independence and improve health for years to come.

“The Older Americans Act Nutrition Program is the only federally supported program designed to be an antidote for both senior hunger and isolation,” Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America, said. “Despite decades of proven success and bipartisan support, funding for this program has failed to keep pace with the rapidly growing need for its services. With the nation’s senior population increasing dramatically, now is the time to support local Meals on Wheels programs – through volunteering, donating and speaking out – to ensure we are able to deliver for another 50 years.”

MOWGLV has invited prominent local and state legislative officials to deliver meals to Lehigh Valley seniors throughout the month of March. Legislators who will be joining in the celebration include state Reps. Zach Mako, R-183rd, Mike Schlossberg, D-132nd and Peter Schweyer, D-22nd. Mayors Mike Harakal (Whitehall) and Matt Tuerk (Allentown), as well as Northampton and Lehigh county executives Lamont McClure and Phillips Armstrong also will participate.

For more information on how to volunteer, contribute or speak out for the seniors in the Lehigh Valley, visit www.mowglv.org.