19th Annual March for Meals Campaign Brings Attention to Issues Facing Many Seniors

The 19th annual March for Meals has kicked off its yearly campaign to raise awareness of the increasing number of older Americans who face hunger and isolation, serious issues that have only grown worse over the past year with the threat of COVID-19 and the ongoing pandemic. The national March for Meals campaign goes on through the end of the month, in conjunction with the Emmet County Friendship Centers and the Council on Aging, to bring visibility on local efforts to maintain and operate the Emmet County Meals on Wheels program. In 2020, the Friendship Centers served 288 individuals and delivered 41,247 meals to homebound seniors in Emmet County. The annual event also serves to highlight the success of the Older Americans Act, to encourage new volunteers to join the program, and to promote donations from local businesses and other supporters. For more information on the annual event, go to www.marchformeals.com. Below are some national fact sheets that show the situation of hunger, isolation, and poverty among our seniors and how Meals on Wheels continues to help address these issues.

   •  The Escalating Problem of Senior Hunger and Isolation
   •  How Meals on Wheels is Funded
   •  Delivering So Much More Than Just a Meal