Latest news with #MarchforMeals
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘March for Meals' provides healthy food for homebound adults in WNY
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — When volunteers with FeedMore WNY drop off nutritious meals to neighbors in the Western New York community–they're also helping demonstrate what the city of good neighbors is all about. 'They're not just delivering that nutritious meal, but we're offering that friendship, that wellbeing check to let our neighbor know that they're not alone, they have people in the community to count on,' said Catherine Shick, public relations manager at FeedMore. 'We know that our older adult population is continuing to grow in our community which means more and more people are going to be turning to programs like our meals on wheels services to help live independently as long as possible.' FeedMore WNY's home delivered meals program, Meals on Wheels, serves thousands of people in Erie and Niagara County, who are older adults or are homebound, receive nutritious meals. 'This program not only helps people who are homebound, who cannot get out of the house to shop or prepare food, but it helps the caregivers,' said Shick. 'These people who are trying to make sure that their parents, their grandparents, are able to have nutritious food and support when they're not with them.' Every March, they participate in 'March for Meals' to help bring national awareness to the 13 million older Americans who are threatened by or experience hunger. 'March is actually the anniversary of the Older Americans Act that provides a significant funding source for meals on wheels programing and that is why we take this moment in March to spread awareness on the vitality of these programs and how they really do help change lives,' said Shick. During the week of 'March for Meals,' each day community leaders are helping lend a hand to volunteer on some of the routes. Erie County Legislator Laurence Dupre says he's been participating in 'March for Meals' for several years now, and believes it's even more important this year with all the federal funding cuts that are happening. 'With the way things are happening federally, who knows, all we can do is prepare and take care of ours and what we can do locally,' said Dupre. For anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer you can find out more information on FeedMore WNY's website here or call (716) 822-2002. Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kentucky first lady helps serve meals to emphasize importance of senior nutrition programs
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Kentucky first lady Britainy Beshear joined Frankfort police to serve meals to members at the Capital City Activity Center, part of an event called March for Meals. It can be easy to bond over food, and while she has a lot on her plate, first lady Britainy Beshear spent some time serving lunch to these senior citizens. Read more of the latest Kentucky news 'Making sure our seniors have nutritious meals and that they can come to centers if they're able, being around one another and spending time with one another. It's critically important that the funding remains in place so that these programs are sustainable,' Beshear said. The goal is to keep programs like March for Meals and Meals on Wheels going strong. Marchele Jenkins is the executive director of the Capital City Activity Center. 'We're proud to say we don't have a waitlist here. That's not the case throughout the United States, or even in Kentucky. There are many seniors still on a waitlist needing to receive meals. We do this to bring awareness to senior nutrition,' Jenkins said. These meals and this service mean a lot to members like Vaughn Garvin, who would have a hard time otherwise. Flemingsburg man accused of trafficking an underage relative California governor's podcasts with Trump loyalists take stance on Beshear Kentucky first lady helps serve meals to emphasize importance of senior nutrition programs 'I especially love the meals. At my age, it's a little harder for me to cook because I'm in rehab from a stroke,' Garvin said. Between the first lady and the police helping to serve the meals, everyone says it's crucial to have everyone at the table. Frankfort Police Department Assistant Chief Scott Tracy said he loves serving his community, and this is another way to do that. 'They've given so much already to our community. They've kind of put their time in, and now it's our turn to serve them. It means a lot to us,' Tracy said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
March for Meals in Eau Claire aims to continue upward donation trend
EAU CLAIRE — Eau Claire's Meals on Wheels program, run by the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), is spending the month of March increasing awareness of its program for seniors with the hope of boosting donations. Called March for Meals, the month-long campaign promotes the Meals on Wheels programs nationwide. In Eau Claire last year, the program garnered $10,325 in donations, over double what it was four years ago. 'I think we've just honestly done a better job of getting the word out to the community,' said Eau Claire County's ADRC Director Linda Struck. 'In 2021, it was $3,150; 2022, $4,125; and 2023, $7,115.' Meals on Wheels provides hot and cold meals for those who are 60 and over who are unable to prepare adequate meals on their own. However, Struck said that 'it's more than a meal that you're donating toward. It's keeping people in their houses longer. It's a friendly hello. It's a wellness check. We have found people who have fallen.' Struck said the suggested donation for recipients of the meals is just $5 a meal, but on average some people contribute more and some people contribute less. It doesn't cover the full cost of operating the program. 'The Meals on Wheels program does get some federal funding through the Older Americans Act, but it's not enough to fund to support the whole program [either],' she said. When asked if she was concerned about the potential loss of federal funds, she said it was too soon to know anything or to cause alarm. 'We just encourage people to contribute what they can,' Struck said. 'We encourage businesses and individuals who want to donate to a worthy situation.' In addition to donating funds, the program also offers plenty of volunteer opportunities. She said in 2023, they had enough volunteer hours that would have equated to having six full time staff members. 'We have paid staff too who cook, but then we also have volunteers who come in the kitchen and help us package the meals and maybe do some minor food prep,' she said. 'And then we have three paid part-time drivers.' Struck said the need for the program has exploded since 2010. 'The 65 plus demographic has increased by 48 percent,' she said. 'And that is from now through 2040. It's supposed to increase by another 18 to 20 percent, so it's still climbing. We deliver to roughly about 450 people a day. Last year, we were just shy of 1000 meals for the year.' To donate or find out how to volunteer, visit
