Meals on Wheels of Coweta (MOWOC) was proud to receive a $2,000 grant from Meals on Wheels America for its participation in the 13th Annual March for Meals campaign. This year’s grants were made possible through the generosity of Subaru of America, Inc. and its seventh annual “Share the Love” event. During the event, Subaru donated $250 to the owner’s choice of participating charities for every new vehicle purchased or leased. During March 2015 MOWOC’s numerous March for Meals Campaign activities included:
* Distributing information about elder hunger and delivered meals to the Coweta County Commissioners at their March 3rd meeting. The commissioners proclaimed March 2015 as “March for Meals Month” in Coweta County.
* recruiting nineteen Community Champions – local law enforcement officers, firefighters, city councilmen, and county commissioners – to help deliver meals March 17-19, 2015.
* recruiting three local pharmacies – Kroger Pharmacy, HealthMart Pharmacy, and Lee-Goodrum Pharmacy, to include information cards about Meals on Wheels of Coweta in prescription bags
* hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to celebrate March for Meals and to thank the volunteers for the important work they do.
* speaking to local VFW Post 2667 about March for Meals and requesting their support. Over 30% of MOWOC clients are veteran or widows of veterans.
* conducting the Sixth Annual Coins for Cupcakes Challenge, March 2-20, 2015. Students from 21 county schools raised nearly $13,000 to help the clients Meals on Wheels of Coweta serves.
In total, $370,250 has been granted to 258 local Meals on Wheels programs and two Meals on Wheels America-affiliated State Associations based on their March for Meals efforts. The $2,000 grant MOWOC received will provide 600 meals for MOWOC clients.
“The March for Meals grant program is our way of recognizing local programs for bolstering the dynamic and effective partnership between Meals on Wheels and the businesses, organizations, governments and volunteers who provide critical support within their communities,” said Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander. “In addition to mobilizing nearly 400 local Meals on Wheels celebrations across the country, we commemorated the month by releasing the findings of a groundbreaking research study proving that Meals on Wheels delivers so much more than just a meal.”
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 seniorsin a variety of ways that make communities stronger, safer and healthier. For more information, visit marchformeals.com.
Meals on Wheels of Coweta’s mission is to promote aging in place and improve quality of life for Coweta’s homebound elder adults who are ill or disabled and unable to prepare meals for themselves. MOWOC provides three free services: home delivered meals, handyman services, and friendly visitors. MOWOC currently serves 75 clients on eight routes. MOWOC’s goal is to increase the number of clients to 80 by the end of August 2015. At least 200 more elder Cowetans need MOWOC’s services. MOWOC receives no state or county financial support and must rely on charitable donors and grantors to serve elder adults in need. To donate call 678-423-1700 or visit www.mealsonwheelsofcoweta.org.
