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WHO WE ARE
From the very first Meals On Wheels delivered in canteens to British servicemen during World War II; to the very first formal Meals On Wheels program in America, serving Philadelphia shut-ins in the 1950s; to todays vast network of local home-delivered and congregate meal programs that serve millions of seniors and others across the country Meals On Wheels is a long-standing, highly regarded American institution. The Meals On Wheels Association of America is the oldest and largest national organization composed of and representing local, community-based Senior Nutrition Programs in all 50 U.S. states, as well as the U.S. Territories. These local programs are our MOWAA Members. All told, there are some 5,000 local Senior Nutrition Programs in the United States. These programs provide well over one million meals to seniors who need them each day. Some programs serve meals at congregate locations like senior centers, some programs deliver meals directly to the homes of seniors whose mobility is limited, and many programs provide both services. While remarkable, the one million meals per day figure underestimates the size and shape of our network and its reach and influence in communities across America. In addition to the hundreds of thousands of seniors who receive meals, there are many thousands of professionals employed at the various local Senior Nutrition Programs across the U.S. More notable than that is the virtual army of volunteers who also work for these programs. It is said that this group, numbering between 800,000 and 1.2 million individuals, is the largest volunteer army in the nation.
That research found that of the 46 million seniors in America, an astounding 11.4 percent over 5 million face the threat of hunger.
Those seniors most at risk of hunger are: Between the ages of 60 and 64 Living with a grandchild Living at or below the poverty line High-school dropouts African American or Hispanic Divorced or separated Renters (rather than home owners)
In a 2009 follow-up study examining the geographic distribution of senior hunger in the United States, the same researchers found that seniors residing in the South are at the greatest risk of hunger.
The top ten states, in descending order (highest to lowest) with the highest rates of hunger risk among seniors are: Mississippi South Carolina Arkansas Texas New Mexico Georgia Alabama Louisiana North Carolina Oklahoma
This first risk factor is particularly worrisome, because the cohort of the younger old is growing at an unprecedented rate. In America today someone turns 60 every 7 seconds.
2005
2025
If we do not act, by 2025, an estimated 9.5 million American seniors will experience some form of food insecurity. This is a 75 percent increase from today.
Meals On Wheels programs provide more than just food programs provide nutritious, sustaining meals, critical human contact and safety checks for individuals who are not able to gain access to, purchase or prepare food for themselves.
Our Member programs are an essential lifeline for seniors who choose to remain in their own homes.
An older gentleman was facing a tough decision after his wifes debilitating stroke. Could he bring his wife home? Or did he need to move near her care facility? The couple wanted to return home, but one thing stood in the way. Who would prepare their daily meals? The husband was not adept in the kitchen, and the wife would not be able to take over her former cooking duties. Meals On Wheels made the difference. With home-delivered meals from Meals On Wheels, the husband and his wife were able to remain home together. Source: Meals On Wheels of Topeka A volunteer driver, Joe, was delivering meals on his Meals on Wheels route, just like he had every Friday for seven years. Among his favorite stops is Mrs. Smith, 79, a retired teacher who always met him at the front door with a smile and a hearty thank you for her hot meal. But this Friday, Mrs. Smith didnt greet Joe at the front door and didnt respond to his ringing of the bell. Joe called the Meals on Wheels office manager, who called Mrs. Smiths home. Again, no response. Now concerned, Joe walked around the house, and peering through an open window, he saw Mrs. Smiths feet lying in the hallway. Joe called out her name and knocked on the window. When Mrs. Smith didnt respond, Joe quickly called 911.
A senior at risk of hunger has the same chance of an ADL limitation as someone 14 years older. That is, there is in effect a large disparity between actual chronological and physical age, so that a 64-year-old senior suffering from hunger is likely to have the ADL limitations of a 78 year old.
Mrs. Smith had fallen on Wednesday, shortly after Joes last delivery, and had been lying in her hallway ever since, for nearly 48 hours. She received meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and was found only when Joe returned with her next meal. Thanks to Joes quick action, Mrs. Smith received the medical attention that saved her life. A few weeks later, she was back at the door, this time with the aid of a walker, to greet Joe with a smile and a truly heartfelt thank you. Source: Meals on Wheels of Stark and Wayne Counties
Pillar Needs:
Grants that help our Member programs serve more meals: We are the only provider of meals to the homebound in our county. If we cannot provide food to someone, then they will not have any food to eat. These people are literally going to bed hungry. We can only deliver five days a week. On days we do not deliver, our clients are left with eating a cold sandwich or in some cases, not eating at all. Grants that help our Member programs maintain and repair needed equipment: We have recently faced unexpected expenses because of the aging of our building and equipment the roof is leaking, the heat exchangers are breaking, and refrigeration systems and pot-washers are breaking down.
Capacity Building
To reach our vision of ending senior hunger in America by 2020, the staff at the MOWAA national office must have sufficient resources to enact innovative strategies and campaigns. Our Capacity Building efforts help us meet the growing needs of our Members.
Pillar Needs:
The right level of staff talent and technology to support our Member programs: This is an Association that treats everyone as their family member. No matter the need, be it education, help solving a problem, suggestions to make your program better, MOWAA is there. The right infrastructure to help us avoid waste and ensure efficient and dedicated action: We work hard to keep administrative costs low in 2008, overhead was just 16% of our total operating expenses. This is one of the reasons MOWAA was named one of the Wise Giving Alliance Better Business Bureaus Top Accredited Charities.
Pillar Needs:
Professional development and continuing education courses in our six Certificate tracks: nutrition, leadership, development, volunteer management, and the Next Leaders Academy. The leadership series in November was the most comprehensive program I have attended in quite some time...I came away from the training renewed and ready to move my program to new heightsI want to be the leader who can inspire and excite them about the work we do every day. Scholarships that allow the Meals On Wheels staff most in need to attend training sessions. We have directed all available resources in our budget to assist seniors who are in need of food. Money budgeted for education is no longer available and yet desperately needed.
Theres hunger in America not because of a lack of food, but because of a lack of courage to eradicate it.