Atlanta organization enlists local officials to fight senior isolation, hunger

Senior Connections announced that it is participating in the 15th annual March for Meals – a month-long, nationwide celebration of Meals on Wheels and the homebound and vulnerable seniors who rely on its vital safety net. Senior Connections’ March for Meals celebration will include hosting local and elected officials in meal delivery, and the culmination of its “Wall of Hearts” campaign sponsoring almost 2,000 meals delivered to Metro Atlanta seniors.

”The services that we provide the seniors of Metro Atlanta are critical to helping them ‘age in place’,” said Debra Furtado, chief executive officer of Senior Connections. “Without the meals supplied by our program, many seniors would be prematurely placed in assisted living or nursing homes due to their inability to shop for food or prepare their own meals. By providing them healthy prepared meals delivered by a caring volunteer, we can keep seniors living independently, healthier at home and feeling more connected to their community as they age.”

Senior hunger is a growing problem in the metro Atlanta area. Georgia has the nation’s 11th-fastest-growing senior population, and there are 9,000 seniors on waiting lists for some type of at-home service. Home-delivered meals are the most requested needs-based service. Many times the senior isn’t able to prepare a meal because they cannot get to the grocery store, or they are physically unable to cook; others might be skipping meals so they can spend that money on medications. While some seniors need long-term meal service, others only need meal delivery for a few weeks following a hospital stay or rehab — just long enough for them to get back to their daily routine.

In February, Senior Connections launched its “Wall of Hearts” as part of its February fundraising campaign. For each meal sponsored in its Meals on Wheels program (valued at $6.00), a paper heart with the name of the donor and whom they are honoring with the donation was placed on a wall at Senior Connections’ corporate office in Chamblee. The goal was to collect 1,936 hearts (44 hearts for each of Senior Connections’ 44 years helping seniors “age in place”) during the month-long campaign – which ends during March for Meals on Thursday, 16 March. So far, the organization has collected 1,884 hearts – 97% to goal.

Senior Connections has enlisted the help of several Atlanta community leaders to deliver meals during March, including mayors, county commissioners, city council members and state and federal representatives. Some of the local officials already committed to a meal delivery are Patti Garrett, mayor of Decatur; Georgia State Representative Karla Drenner, District 85 – Avondale Estates; Jeff Rader, DeKalb county commissioner from district 2; Abby Cox, director, Division of Aging Services, Georgia Department of Human Services; and several staff members from the DeKalb County Office of Senior Affairs. Other local officials are still being scheduled for delivery routes during the month of March and beyond.

Since 2002, Meals on Wheels America has led the annual awareness campaign in an effort to fill the gap between the seniors served and those in need that is widening due to increased demand with a rapidly aging population combined with declining public and private resources, and rising food, transportation and operational costs. This March, hundreds of local Meals on Wheels programs, like Senior Connections, will reach out to their communities to build the support that will enable them to deliver nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks to America’s seniors all year long.

“March is a time for us all to rally around Meals on Wheels,” said Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “Our ability to meet the needs of vulnerable seniors lies in the willingness and generosity of businesses, government and concerned individuals of all ages to contribute in their own way. It not only makes economic sense to enable seniors to stay healthy and safe at home, but it improves the health and vibrancy of our communities and our nation at large.”

About Senior Connections

Since 1973 Senior Connections has provided programs and services designed to help seniors “age in place” in the comfort of their own homes. More than 15,000 nutritious meals are prepared weekly out of Senior Connections’ main kitchen, and meals are distributed throughout metro Atlanta and middle Georgia. In addition to providing this large number of meals, the nonprofit agency provides home repair, in-home care and neighborhood centers to area seniors. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, services are available to anyone over the age of 62, regardless of income level. More information is available at seniorconnectionsatl.org. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

About Meals on Wheels America

Meals on Wheels America is the oldest and largest national organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. This network exists in virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education, research and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit mealsonwheelsamerica.org.