FeedMore WNY partner with community leaders during March for Meals week

Government officials and community partners joined FeedMore WNY to deliver nutritious meals to older adults and neighbors who are homebound during FeedMore WNY’s “March for Meals” week, March 17 through March 21. This weeklong event is part of a national campaign with Meals on Wheels America to spread awareness about the vital role Meals on Wheels programs play in maintaining the health and independence of our older community members. .

FeedMore WNY’s home delivered meals program, also referred to as “Meals on Wheels” provides a hot lunch and cold supper each weekday to residents of Erie and Niagara counties who cannot shop for or prepare food. All meals are prepared fresh each day in FeedMore WNY’s commissary and account for 2/3 of the daily recommended dietary allowance.

In addition to delivering nutritious meals to older adults and people living with disabilities, FeedMore WNY’s home-delivered meals program volunteers offer a friendly greeting and wellness check to combat social isolation and loneliness. In 2024, FeedMore WNY created and delivered nearly 1.5 million meals to neighbors through its prepared meals services.

“We are grateful for all the community leaders who are volunteering and helping us raise awareness about the critical importance of Meals on Wheels programs during March for Meals week,” Tara A. Ellis, president and CEO of FeedMore WNY said. “FeedMore WNY’s home-delivered meals program provides nourishing meals and vital friendship to older adults and people who are homebound to alleviate food insecurity and loneliness. We hope that March for Meals inspires more community members to become volunteers – as more and more neighbors continue to rely on our services, home-delivered meal volunteers have become one of FeedMore WNY’s most urgent needs.”

FeedMore WNY’s March for Meals week and national awareness efforts 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, 13 million older Americans are still threatened by or experience hunger, and 91 percent of Meals on Wheels participants nationwide say the services help them live independently. 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.

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