County of Chatham recently issued the following announcement.
The Chatham County Council on Aging will participate in a special March for Meals celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program, the federal legislation that helps to fund community-based programs like Meals on Wheels.
Throughout the month of March, the Council will join the national Meals on Wheels network to raise awareness and rally support for this vital public-private partnership that has helped provide the seniors in Chatham County with an essential service needed to remain healthy and independent at home.
“Our Meals on Wheels program is one of our most vital services at the Council on Aging,” said Council Interim Director Lacee Monte. “We are proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program by giving the public multiple ways to show its support for this important effort.”
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 seniors 60 years and older. This year, Meals on Wheels programs from across the country are joining forces for the awareness campaign to celebrate 50 years of success and garner the support needed to ensure these critical programs can continue to address food insecurity and malnutrition, combat social isolation, enable independence, and improve health for years to come.
“The Older Americans Act Nutrition Program is the only federally supported program designed to be an antidote for both senior hunger and isolation,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “Despite decades of proven success and bipartisan support, funding for this program has failed to keep pace with the rapidly growing need for its services. With the nation’s senior population increasing dramatically, now is the time to support local Meals on Wheels programs – through volunteering, donating and speaking out – to ensure we are able to deliver for another 50 years.”
Through the month of March, the Council’s celebration will include local and state leaders taking part in Meals on Wheels delivery routes within Chatham County. Individuals and businesses can sponsor a delivery day of their choice in March by contacting the Council at 919-542-4512 for more information and may donate any amount of their choice online at https://givebutter.com/COAMarch. All monies donated will go to the Council’s Meals on Wheels program.
For more information on the Council on Aging, phone 919-542-4512 or 919-742-3975 or visit the Council’s website at www.chathamcoa.org.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up