It’s hard to imagine that someone you know may be going hungry simply because they have difficulty preparing a meal. Yet many of our community’s seniors live alone and have health conditions that make preparing a nutritious meal a real challenge. Moreover, many have very limited income, making it difficult to maintain a healthy diet while making sure they have the medications they need.
For more than 30 years, Fayette Senior Services Meals On Wheels program has ensured that no senior in Fayette County goes hungry or is without the ability to have proper nutrition.
Each year, a corps of dedicated volunteers delivers over 40,000 meals to more than 250 homebound and semi-homebound older adults who reside throughout Fayette County.
The general funding Fayette Senior Services receives for its Meals On Wheels program only covers the cost of weekly meals, which averages 260 meals a year per recipient. The funding does not provide for additional holiday meals.
The annual Project Love Holiday Meal Campaign serves to bridge that gap. With support from residents and businesses hundreds of seniors will experience the love of the community and the comfort and joy of having a good nutritious meal on holidays throughout the year.
Meals On Wheels provides much more than a nutritious meal to seniors. For many, Meals On Wheels is a lifeline to help them remain living independently in their own home with dignity and respect. For seniors who live alone without family nearby, each meal delivery is often the only social contact they may regularly receive. This important connection to the community provides a “wellness check” to ensure the overall well-being of our community’s seniors.
Fayette Senior Services is calling on individuals and businesses to donate to Project Love to help purchase extra holiday meals for Fayette’s Meals On Wheels recipients. Donations also provide doctor-prescribed dietary supplements as well as additional “shelf-meals” — non-refrigerated meals that can be kept on the shelf in the event of an emergency or for times that meals are unable to be delivered due to severe inclement weather. Each meal meets the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), and meals for special dietary restrictions are available for recipients.
For as little as $10, two meals can be provided for a senior but there is no limit to the number of meals that can be purchased, and general donations are welcomed. Donation forms can be found at www.FayetteLifeEnrichment.org (online donations accepted) and at Fayette Senior Services Life Enrichment Center, 4 Center Drive in Fayetteville. Checks should be made payable to Fayette Senior Services. Credit cards accepted.
For more information about Meals On Wheels or if you have an interest in becoming a Meals On Wheels volunteer, contact Ginnie Plunkett, Meals On Wheels Coordinator or Sarah Hall, Center Administrator at 770-461-0813.
About Fayette Senior Services: For more than 30 years, Fayette Senior Services, Inc. (FSS), a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has been making a meaningful difference in the emotional, social, and physical well-being of older adults.
In addition to Meals On Wheels, FSS provides other essential services such as transportation, information & assistance, care management, in-home personal care/homemaker services, adult day care, home repair, and ani-meals (pet food delivery for companion pets).
For active older adults age 50+ Fayette Senior Services Life Enrichment Center offers a wide variety of social, leisure, and fitness activities, the award-winning Ultimate Café, and more.
For more information visit www.FayetteLifeEnrichment.org or call 770-461-0813. Fayette Senior Services is a proud member of the Meals On Wheels Association of America. To learn more about other ways you can help end senior hunger visit www.MOWAA.org.
