Meals on Wheels plays an important role
By Congressman John Olver
Over 5 million seniors — 11 percent of all seniors — experience some form of food insecurity. Of these, about 2.5 million are at-risk of hunger, and about 750,000 suffer from hunger due to financial constraints. These are big numbers, and they represent a big problem that spans the entire country.
In October, 2008, I visited four different meal programs for seniors in our area, including Elder Services’ Lanesboro kitchen. Elder Services’ Meals on Wheels Program provides hot, nutritious noontime meals to seniors who are homebound throughout Berkshire County. Through this program, over 1,000 meals are prepared each weekday – over 800 of which are home-delivered by drivers who travel 226,000 miles a year throughout 38 different routes. The remaining meals are served at over 14 lunch sites throughout Berkshire County.
During that visit, I was able to learn about Elder Services’ operations – how the meals are made, how they are delivered and where the organization’s funding comes from. I participated in the meal assembly line, and met the program’s staff and dedicated corps of volunteers.
There were two elements of my visit that made the greatest impact. The first thing I was struck by is the commitment of the staff and volunteers of the program. Many of the drivers I met that day had been volunteering with Elder Services’ Meals on Wheel Program for over a decade! The second point that made the greatest impression is all that these drivers do. The drivers not only deliver hot meals, but they also provide a lifeline to the outside world for home-bound seniors. The drivers get to know the individuals they deliver meals to, they look in on them, they provide much needed interaction, and they ensure that they know about resources that are available to them.
The role that programs like Elder Services’ Meals on Wheels play is extremely important to our communities. As the population ages, one can assume that the need for these services will only increase with time. As is the case with many programs that provide essential services to our most vulnerable, funding has been woefully inadequate.
The good news is that the federal stimulus package has increased funding for the Home Delivered Meals Program, the federal program from which Meals on Wheels receives funds. Additional funding for the federal Home Delivered Meals Program means organizations across the country, like our own Elder Services’ Meals on Wheels, could see significant, albeit short-term, increases.
I will continue to look for opportunities in Washington to ensure that programs that provide vital social services have the funding they need to fulfill their very important missions.
Congressman U.S. Representative John Olver (D) represents the 1st District. He can be reached at 442-0946, 202-225-5335 or visit his website: http://www.house.gov/olver/index.shtml.
