Missoula Aging Services (MAS) announced today that it will be participating in the 21st annual March for Meals – a month-long, nationwide celebration of both Meals on Wheels and our older neighbors who rely on this essential service to remain healthy and independent at home, now even more so amid a lingering pandemic and high inflation.
Missoula Aging Services’ celebration will include various activities throughout the month of March.
“Every March, Missoula Aging Services brings the community together to provide awareness and rally support for our local Meals on Wheels program,” says Lisa Sheppard, CEO of MAS. “This year, our Agency expects to deliver 140,000 meals to homebound individuals and will serve almost 40,000 community lunches at locations throughout Missoula County.
This is possible thanks to generous donations from the community and a team of dedicated volunteers working together to ensure homebound people receive nutritious meals and safety checks.”
The annual March for Meals celebration commemorates the historic day in March of 1972 when President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for older adults 60 years and older. This critical support and federal funding have 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 homebound person in need of a nutritious meal, friendly visit, and safety check.
Regionally, Missoula Aging Services partners with two organizations that run their own Meals on Wheels programs: the Ravalli County Council on Aging (RCCOA) and the Seeley Lake Senior Center. These organizations are also participating in March for Meals to raise funds for homebound older adults in their communities.
“March is an important time for us to come together to ensure that Meals on Wheels is there for all of our older adult 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 speak out for our older neighbors in Missoula County this March, visit the agency’s website.
About Missoula Aging Services:
Missoula Aging Services promotes the independence, dignity and health of older adults and those who care for them.
For 40 years, Missoula Aging Services has empowered thousands of older adults, their families and caregivers through programs, services, volunteer opportunities and education to continue to live independently at home, for as long as possible.
Find out more: missoulaagingservices.org
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