Senior Citizens, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to helping older adults age successfully, held a special press conference earlier today to celebrate Meals on Wheels of America’s 14th Annual March for Meals -- a month-long, nationwide celebration of Meal on Wheels and the homebound and vulnerable seniors who rely on its vital safety net.

Mayor Eddie DeLoach joined Senior Citizens’ executive director, Patti Lyons, to personally deliver the first meal of the day to a local Meals on Wheels client. They were also joined by members of SCI’s board of directors, staff, and community volunteers.

“My mother was a Meals on Wheels volunteer,” said Mayor DeLoach. “She loved the relationships she formed while making deliveries and was so honored to help these people live independently for as long as they can. Thank you to all Meals on Wheels volunteers for giving up your time to help our seniors.”

Currently, SCI prepares and delivers more than 9,000 meals each week in Chatham, Effingham, Bryan and Liberty counties. Many times, the Meals on Wheels volunteer or staff driver is the only person a senior will see in an entire day or even a week. The program has faced some tough funding setbacks over the last several years, coupled with rising costs and unprecedented demand.

“I have had many opportunities to volunteer at various organizations, but the Meals on Wheels program is one of the best,” said Tim Moore, a member of SCI’s board of directors and Meals on Wheels volunteer. “We want our parents and everyone to age successfully and Senior Citizens helps to provide the necessary independence for older adults to do just that. But what’s more important for others to understand is that the Meals on Wheels program is volunteer-driven and we rely on the community’s help and our volunteers to continue to make this program a success.”

“In addition to nutritious meals, the Meals on Wheels program also helps supply clients with pet food,” said SCI President Patti Lyons. “We’ve learned over the years that clients will feed their pets before they feed themselves. Providing pet food has become a very important part of our Meals on Wheels program.”

Meals on Wheels America is the oldest and largest national organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based senior nutrition programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. This network exists in virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, research, education and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time.
 
Since 2002, Meals on Wheels America has led March for Meals, an annual awareness campaign, in an effort to fill the gap between the seniors served and those in need. This gap is widening due to increased demand from a rapidly aging population combined with declining public and private resources, and rising food, transportation and operational costs. This March, hundreds of local Meals on Wheels programs like SCI’s will reach out to their communities to build the support that will enable them to deliver nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks to America’s seniors all year long.
 
“The Meals on Wheels ‘more than just a meal’ model addresses three of the biggest threats of aging: isolation, hunger, and loss of independence,” said Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander. “More than ever, we must join forces to meet the needs of the fastest growing population in America who want to be able to live at home for as long as they can. It not only makes economic sense to enable seniors to stay healthy and safe at home, but it improves the health and vibrancy of our communities and our nation at large.”