Savannah Mayor, Eddie DeLoach, and Senior Citizens Inc. President, Patti Lyons, staff, and volunteers, kicked off the local “March for Meals” on March 6th,  at SCI’s Bull Street location in Savannah.

“March For Meals,” now in its 15th year, is the national campaign to raise awareness about the issue of senior hunger and the critical role the Meals on Wheels program plays in the lives of seniors. Locally, the “March” was kicked-off with meal deliveries to SCI clients, Ms. Setirha Thomas and Ms. Bonnie Fuhrman, by Mayor Eddie DeLoach. A consistent supporter of SCI and the Meals on Wheels program, Mayor DeLoach shared insights from his personal experience and those of his mother, a long-time Meals on Wheels volunteer for SCI, prior to the deliveries. Mayor DeLoach said he believes that the opportunity for interaction provided by the daily meal deliveries may be as valuable as the meals themselves. “Having someone come to your door to bring you a meal is what makes this program really special. I think my mom gets as much from the interaction as the people receiving the meals”, said Mayor DeLoach.

Agreeing with the Mayor, SCI President Patti Lyons said, “We deliver more than a meal. Many of the 1,800 people receiving our meals each day are homebound and we are often the only person they see all day. We provide a critical link to the outside world. Nationally, 92% of the people receiving meals say that it enables them to remain living at home and 90% say it makes them feel safer. At just $6.00 a meal, Meals on Wheels is a small investment that provides a huge return on the quality of life it provides for the older adults in our community.”

The SCI “March for Meals” will continue with a variety of activities throughout the month, culminating with the 8th Annual SCI Miles for Meals 5K Walk/Run, which will start and end at SCI’s Bull Street location on March 24.