MOWD Joins in national march for meals celebration
SUPPORT WILL HELP TO FIGHT SENIOR HUNGER AND ISOLATION IN DURHAM
Durham, NC (March 1, 2023) – Meals on Wheels Durham (MOWD) announced today that it will participate in the 21st Annual March for Meals – a month-long, nationwide celebration of its work with older adults who rely on this essential service to help them stay healthy, independent, and in their own homes for as long as possible. Activities throughout March will focus on advocacy and include “champions week,” in which local Greek organizations and elected officials volunteer and learn more about how they can help alleviate senior hunger and isolation.
“Last year, we provided – along with community partners and the help of 692 volunteers – over 155,000 meals to 971 clients,” said Jason Peace, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels Durham. “While we are proud of the accomplishments we’ve made together, there are still hundreds of hungry and isolated seniors in our city that need our intervention.”
The annual March for Meals celebration commemorates the historic day in 1972 when President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for seniors aged 60 and older. This critical support and federal funding has fueled the growth of the Meals on Wheels network for more than 50 years.
During the month, community-based Meals on Wheels programs from across the country will join forces for the annual awareness campaign to celebrate this successful public-private partnership and garner the resources needed to reach every senior in need of a nutritious meal, friendly visit, and safety check.
“March is an important time for us to come together 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. “The demand for services is already great and approximately 12,000 Americans are turning 60 every day. We must maintain and expand the programs that have helped so many get through this unprecedented time in our nation’s history. We can’t do it alone. It takes all of us to keep the nationwide Meals on Wheels movement going.”
For more information on how you can volunteer, contribute or advocate for seniors in Durham this March, visit www.mowdurham.org.
About Meals on Wheels Durham:
Meals on Wheels Durham is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older adults and other community members who are homebound and unable to provide sufficient nutrition for themselves. Through daily meal delivery and regular contact with caring volunteers, we strive to positively impact our clients’ health, independence, and connectivity.