Senior Citizens, Inc. recently joined in the celebration of Meals on Wheels America’s 14th Annual March for Meals – a month-long celebration of Meals on Wheels designed to rally communities nationwide around the vulnerable seniors who rely on its vital safety net to remain healthier and independent in their own homes.

In honor of March for Meals, the first graders at Blessed Sacrament School are collecting pet food throughout the month of March for local residents who receive Meals on Wheels food deliveries. This week’s pet food collection for MOW deliveries also included colorful shamrocks the children created and glued to the food bags in honor of St. Patrick’s Day.

“Sometimes MOW recipients will feed their pets before they feed themselves so it’s really important to help provide pet food in addition to their regularly scheduled meal deliveries,” said SCI President Patti Lyons. “To do this, we rely on the generosity of the community to help us supplement this need for our MOW clients.”

Meals on Wheels America created the March for Meals as a way to commemorate the month in 1972 when President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act and established a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. Since 2002, the March for Meals has grown into a full-scale awareness, fundraising and volunteer recruitment campaign involving and supporting the network of local Meals on Wheels programs.

"More than ever, community organizations, businesses, all levels of government and concerned individuals must join forces to meet the needs of the fastest growing segment of the population in America," said Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander. "It not only makes economic sense to support the Meals on Wheels model that for decades has enabled seniors to stay more nourished, independent and safe at home, but it improves the health and vibrancy of our communities and our nation at large."