“Demand Surges for Meals on Wheels”: AARP News Spotlights Our Local Program’s Impact
In a March story in AARP News, our homebound clients, volunteers, and staff at Meals on Wheels of Takoma Park/Silver Spring helped shine a light on the many benefits of our community-based nonprofit service, now in its 56th year. Don’t miss this powerful story about the importance of our work at Meals on Wheels and the people who make it all possible.
“I never thought I would have to take Meals on Wheels, but I was so sick that I couldn’t cook for myself,” client Gladys Harvey told AARP’s writer during a visit to her home this winter. Ms. Harvey is far from alone: The nation’s growing population of seniors means more older adults are looking for nutrition and social support that allows them to remain healthy and independent in their own homes.
Each local Meals on Wheels program is financially independent and must raise its own funds to meet rising demand for services from community members who cannot safely shop for or prepare meals due to age, disability, illness, or injury.
The federal Older Americans Act is an important source of funding for Meals on Wheels programs across the nation, and Congress is due to update the law this year. Recent federal investments under the Act have not kept pace with inflation or the 28% increase in the number of Americans age 60 and older, AARP reports.
Read the full story here for a behind-the-scenes look at our clients and the volunteers who help make and deliver more than 50,000 fresh, healthy meals a year for residents of Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.