Individuals can help end senior hunger in Blair County by becoming a Meals on Wheels volunteer, or just by eating out at one of a number of local restaurants that have generously agreed to make a donation to the Blair Senior Services’ Meals on Wheels Program during the month of March.
Blair Senior Services has joined with the National Meals on Wheels Associations’ “March for Meals” Campaign to raise funds and recruit volunteers.
March for Meals “So No Senior Goes Hungry” is more than just a slogan. It is a commitment that Blair Senior Services and its many volunteers have made to the community and its older adults. Access to a good, hot meal is the key to health and independence. Last year, more than 189,000 meals were delivered to the homes of 1,400 homebound older adults in all areas of Blair County by a dedicated corps of 350 Meals on Wheels volunteers.
Each week day, the volunteers deliver over 850 meals to the homes of older adults throughout Blair County. The social contacts and safety checks that these volunteers provide are just as important as the food. Individuals, churches and local businesses, including John Stuckey Ford, the Skills Group and Penn State Altoona, donate thousands of hours each year to this effort.
A team of two Meals on Wheels volunteers, a driver and a meal carrier, deliver approximately 25 meals to a specific geographic route. Most volunteers serve one week day a week. Meals are delivered in the late morning. Volunteers are needed for most areas of Blair County, particularly in the Bellwood, Hollidaysburg and Altoona areas. Substitutes are also needed to fill in when one of the regular volunteers is unavailable.
More and more older adults are depending on Blair Senior Services’ Meals on Wheels Program to meet their nutritional needs. The 2000 census confirmed that the most rapidly growing segment of the population, nationally and in Blair County, is the 80 and over age bracket. Unfortunately, this is happening at a time when hospital discharges are quicker than ever, Medicare is limiting home support visits and family members are more likely to live further away. Last year, over 14,000 people received Meals on Wheels. Right now, 92 people over the age of 90 and 307 individuals between the ages of 80 and 89 are receiving meals in their own homes.
To continue to meet this growing demand, Blair Senior Services needs help. In addition to volunteers, increased funds are needed to ensure the continuation of a high quality senior nutrition program. During the month of March, both locations of Papa John’s Pizza, all Blair County locations of Pizza Hut, TGI Friday’s and Uno Chicago Bar and Grill have agreed to donate a portion of their sales when individuals present a Blair Senior Services’ coupon on pre-arranged days and times.
Coupons may be obtained at any of the nine Senior Community Centers located in Altoona, Bellwood, Claysburg, Duncansville, Juniata, Martinsburg, Roaring Spring, Tyrone or Williamsburg.
LaScalia’s Restaurant is accepting donations to Blair Senior Services’ Meals on Wheels Program during the month of March.
Blair Senior Services is a leading charitable agency dedicated to helping older adults live full and productive lives. For more information about older adult services in Blair County, or to learn more about supporting the local Meals on Wheels Program by volunteering or eating out, call 946-1235.
