The event brought attention to Meals on Wheels America’s nationwide campaign protecting essential services for senior citizens enabling them to remain healthy and live independently at home.
According to Meals on Wheels West Michigan President and CEO Lisa Wideman, the Older Americans Act, which was signed into law in 1972, is up for reauthorization this September. She says without those dollars, programs like Meals on Wheels would not exist.
“We need everybody’s support to make sure that that Act continues to be reauthorized and we hope that people will urge their elected officials to make sure that that happens.”
Wideman says Meals on Wheels is not just about making sure seniors don’t go hungry.
“About 27% of the seniors that we serve home-delivered meals to don’t see anybody during the week other than their driver.”
Often making that driver the eyes and ears in an emergency. If a senior doesn’t answer the knock at the door, a team of care coordinators is dispatched to make sure that senior is safe.
Wideman also says that the Kent County Senior Millage, which has been in effect since 1999, is the main reason Meals on Wheels West Michigan can operate without seniors being put on a waiting list.
“We are so thankful that that continues to be supported by the voters of Kent County. It really pays for about half of the meals that we served and is the main reason out pantry exists.”
