COCOA receives $2,000 from ‘March for Meals’ campaign

Central Oregon Council on Aging is proud to announce that it has received a $2,000 grant award from Meals on Wheels America for its participation in the 14th Annual March for Meals campaign.

This past March was COCOA’s second year participating in the national Meals on Wheels awareness campaign designed to celebrate the proven collaboration of local community organizations, businesses, all levels of government and compassionate individuals to ensure that our seniors are not forgotten.

COCOA used a theme of “Prevent Senior Hunger Piece by Piece” with the visual of a quilt made with fabric depicting various fruits and vegetables. Community Champions were members of the Central Oregon Modern Quilt Guild and KSJJ (RL Garrigus and Lola Montgomery).

Nearly $400,000 has been granted to 265 local Meals on Wheels programs and one Meals on Wheels America-affiliated State Association based on their March for Meals efforts. This year’s grants were made possible through the generosity of Subaru of America, Inc. and its eighth annual Share the Love Event. During the event held from November 19, 2015 through January 2, 2016, $250 was donated to a customer’s choice of a national or hometown charity for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased. Meals on Wheels America has been a participating national charity since the event’s inception in 2008.

“The March for Meals grant program is our way of recognizing Meals on Wheels America Members for their efforts to raise awareness and much-needed support for the critical service they provide their communities,” said Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander. “Together, we can change the way this country cares for its seniors.”

The annual March for Meals campaign is an effort led by Meals on Wheels America to present opportunities for volunteers, businesses and governments to support seniors in a variety of ways that make communities stronger, safer and healthier. For more information, visit marchformeals.com.

About Central Oregon Meals on Wheels
Each year, COCOA provides more than 75,000 Meals on Wheels to upwards of 675 homebound seniors in the tri-counties. Many live alone, on fixed and limited incomes, with few family supports. They can no longer shop for, prepare, or even afford their own meals. Those residing in rural areas are additionally challenged, as resources are few and far away. Without Meals on Wheels, they would struggle with hunger and malnutrition, experience social isolation, and be at risk for elder neglect and abuse. With Meals on Wheels, they realize improved nutrition, better management of chronic disease, consistent visits from volunteer drivers that guard against anxiety and depression, and ongoing wellness checks that improve both personal health and home safety.

Meals on Wheels also represents a tremendous economic investment in the region. At $3.85 per meal, Meals on Wheels adds more than $288,000 to Central Oregon’s food assistance efforts. And the cost savings that accrue by keeping seniors in their homes and out of institutional care are enormous. Harder to quantify, but no less important, are the benefits to seniors of staying in their familiar surroundings, with lower risk of exposure to infection, enjoying their privacy and sense of control with days ordered by comfortable routines.

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 www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.