Support will help to fight senior hunger and isolation in Greenbrier County
The Greenbrier County Committee on Aging will be participating in #SaveLunch – a nationwide campaign led by Meals on Wheels America designed to rally communities around our senior neighbors and protect the essential services that enable so many to remain healthy and independent at home. GCCA’s participation will include activities throughout the month of March in honor of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program anniversary.
GCCA’s nutrition program began in 1976 with the delivery of 15 meals. The program and need have grown significantly since. We now deliver meals five days a week, 52 weeks a year, to homebound individuals throughout Greenbrier County. In addition to home delivered meals, we have two in-site nutrition centers where seniors can come to have a nutritious, hot meal and fellowship with others. In the past year, we served 42,110 meals to 364 individuals.
National #SaveLunch efforts in March will commemorate the historic day in March of 1972 when the Older Americans Act was amended to include a nutrition program for Americans 60 years and older. More than 50 years later, 12 million older Americans are still threatened by or experience hunger, and one in three seniors feels lonely. That is why Meals on Wheels programs from across the country are joining forces to raise awareness and support to ensure we can continue to address food insecurity and malnutrition, combat social isolation, enable independence and improve health for decades to come.
“Now is an important time for us to unite to ensure that Meals on Wheels is there for all of our senior neighbors in need,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “In the face of soaring demand and costs that surpass our current resources, we need to come together as communities to bridge the gaps. I encourage you to participate by donating, volunteering or speaking out for seniors throughout March to play your part. We can’t do it alone – it takes all of us to save lunch for our seniors.”
March For Meals begins soon! You can support this vital program by donating to your local Meals on Wheels program and asking your representatives to increase funding for senior nutrition programs. For more information, please call 304-392-5138. Please send donations to Greenbrier County Committee on Aging, P.O. Box 556 Rupert, WV 25984.
About Meals on Wheels America:
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a trusted volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety and much more. By providing funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time.