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Brockton Mayor James Harrington was among more than 1,000 mayors across the country to support the Meals On Wheels programs in their cities by delivering meals to seniors on March 18th in what is known as “Mayors For Meals” Day. Mayor Harrington and OCES Assistant Director Timothy Valentine and Nutrition Director Shawn Smith delivered the noontime meals to 15 Meals On Wheels clients at their homes last week.
The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) has designated March for their annual national campaign known as “March For Meals”. Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) of Brockton participates in this campaign each year, which is designed to increase public awareness, recruit new volunteers and encourage local fundraising.
“We have many seniors in Brockton who are unable to get to the grocery store or to one of our congregate meal sites and who otherwise would not get a nutritious daily meal. The Meals On Wheels program is absolutely essential to them,” noted OCES Executive Director Diana DiGiorgi.
The Meals On Wheels program serves Brockton residents age 60 and over, as well as disabled residents under 60. Both the Meals On Wheels program and the congregate meal sites rely on help from volunteers. Meals On Wheels currently 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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