The NEK Council
on Aging will be participating in the 18th annual March
for Meals, a month-long, nationwide celebration of Meal on Wheels, a critical
service provided to elder Vermonters to remain healthy and independent at home.
The NEKCOA is partnering with 17 community dining sites to promote events
taking place throughout the month.
“The services we
provide are a lifeline for elders throughout the NEK and the need is rapidly
increasing,” said Meg Burmeister, Executive Director of the NEKCOA. “Together,
we can keep our elder neighbors well-nourished, safer, and more connected to
our community as they age. March for Meals provides a unique opportunity for
our entire meal site network to come together and celebrate the services they
provide.”
A full list of the community dining sites and area activities are available on
the NEKCOA website (nekcouncil.org) and include visits with area legislators at
meal sites, fundraisers, seasonal or holiday menus (St. Patrick’s Day),
dedications at meal sites for first responders, local restaurant partnerships,
music performances, and more.
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.
Since 2002, community-based Meals on Wheels programs from across the country
have joined forces for the annual awareness campaign to celebrate this
successful public-private partnership and garner the support needed to fill the
gap between the elders served and those still in need.
“We’re grateful
for the generous community support in helping to build awareness of the Meals
on Wheels services provided at the 17 NEK community dining sites,” said Laura
Valcour, Director of Wellness and Nutrition for the NEKCOA. “I am thrilled with
the response from the meal sites and the activities they have planned. I am
also grateful to area legislators and state representatives who have agreed to
join our elder friends and neighbors for lunch during the celebrations. We
encourage area businesses to help us celebrate as well by ordering take-out
lunches for employees from their area community dining site.”
