March is the month designated for the Meals On Wheels Association of America’s (MOWAA) annual national campaign known as “March For Meals”. Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) of Brockton participates in this campaign designed to increase public awareness, recruit new volunteers and encourage local fundraising.
OCES announced today that on March 18th, Brockton Mayor James Harrington will be among over 1,000 mayors across the country, to show their support for the Meals On Wheels programs in their cities by delivering meals to seniors on what is known as Mayors For Meals Day.
On this designated day, Mayor Harrington and OCES Executive Director Diana DiGiorgi, will visit Meals On Wheels clients at their homes and deliver the noontime meals.
“The Meals On Wheels program is essential. We have many seniors in the city who are unable to get to the grocery store or who otherwise would not get a nutritious daily meal,” noted DiGiorgi.
The Meals On Wheels program serves Brockton residents age 60 and over, as well as disabled residents under 60. Because the Nutrition Program is primarily federally funded, there is no income-based test; all residents at least 60 years of age are eligible. Meals On Wheels, which is one aspect of the OCES Nutrition Program, is for elders who are unable to attend an OCES congregate meal site.
Elders and those younger than 60 who are disabled and able to get out for themselves may visit one of the agency’s congregate meal sites. Here, elders receive a well-balanced meal and have the opportunity to participate in a number of other diverse programs offered by OCES.
The Meals On Wheels program and the congregate meal sites rely on help from volunteers. Meals On Wheels needs volunteer drivers to deliver meals to elders throughout the Brockton area. Volunteer drivers typically deliver 15-20 meals a day, between 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and are reimbursed for mileage. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday, yet they may help out for any number of days per week that they desire.
Volunteers are also needed to set up, bag and distribute meals at the Belair, Manning, Caffrey and Campello congregate meal sites.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering at least two hours per week as a Meals On Wheels driver or as a helper at one of the congregate meal sites, contact Shawn Smith, Nutrition Director at OCES at (508) 584-1561.
About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.
The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent
unnecessary or premature institutionalization.
The agency has 130 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers. For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.
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