MAKE SURE CONGRESS KNOWS THAT #SENIORSCANTWAIT

We launched the #SeniorsCantWait social media campaign to help raise awareness of the growing number of seniors on Meals on Wheels waiting lists in your communities and across the country. As Congress works to finalize funding levels for the remainder of the fiscal year, now is a critical time to advocate for increased investments in Older Americans Act Nutrition Programs. All senior nutrition programs – whether or not you have waiting lists and/or receive government funding – have a role to play to ensure that all seniors in need have access to nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks. Get involved by doing the following:

REPORT YOUR NUMBERS

Fill out this short survey as soon as possible to tell us if you have seniors waiting for Meals on Wheels in your service area. Together, we will use this information to educate Members of Congress and the public about the growing need.

TELL EVERYONE THAT #SENIORSCANTWAIT

Everyone has a part in making the message that #SeniorsCantWait loud and clear. It’s important to do so before December, as Congress is scheduled to finalize decisions on Older Americans Act funding for this fiscal year by December 11. When you report your waiting list numbers we will provide you with an outreach toolkit that includes two social media images customized to your program, sample social media messages, a template press release and more.

Make sure you do the following to get this important message out:

Regularly visit the Meals on Wheels America Facebook and Twitter pages and favorite, retweet, like and share posts from other Meals on Wheels Member programs.
Call and email your elected officials to ensure that seniors and the need to increase funding for Older Americans Act nutrition programs are top-of-mind. Use our online tools to easily take action, and be sure to share any personal stories about your work and the clients you serve.

Your fellow Members have already been on the move with this message! We've heard from more than 100 Member programs that report a total of roughly 20,000 seniors currently waiting to receive Meals on Wheels. Please join the effort!

The best way to make our message loud and clear, that #SeniorsCantWait for nutritious meals, is to have many programs reaching out to our elected officials and communities at the same time with a consistent message. If you have any questions about how to best leverage this opportunity, please contact our Public Policy Manager Crystal Espie at crystal@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or 571-339-1613.

SUBARU SHARE THE LOVE EVENT IN FULL SWING

Today marked the start of the 8th Annual Subaru Share the Love Event! Between now and January 2, Subaru will donate $250 to every customer’s choice of participating charities for each new vehicle sold or leased. Meals on Wheels America is fortunate to be one of four national charity recipients for the 8th year in a row and we’re excited to be able to distribute the funds raised back to you, our Members, throughout 2016.

This year, up to $15 million is up for grabs and it’s our job to remind Subaru customers that our seniors should not be forgotten.

GETTING YOUR SHARE OF THE SHARE THE LOVE FUNDING

One way to get a piece of the Share the Love funding raised is to hold impactful local activation events and activities with your Subaru retailer between now and January 2. For more information and helpful resources, visit our Share the Love Member toolkit here.

In order to be eligible to apply for a Share the Love grant at the end of the event, Members must do two things:

Officially register their Share the Love Event participation through the Activation Form no later than Friday, November 27, 2015. The information you provide regarding your planned activities does not need to be final.
Remain a Member in good standing during the entire Share the Love Event and grant review process (from now until mid-February 2016). If your Membership is up for renewal during that time, make sure you renew in a timely fashion. Check your Membership status by contacting membership@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

Find more information about Share the Love grants here.

SHARE WHAT YOU LOVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA

As part of this year’s Share the Love Event, Subaru invites everyone – not just Subaru owners – to share something they love with the world at sharewhatyoulove.subaru.com. And, creating and sharing your own images will help raise awareness for Meals on Wheels' inclusion in the Share the Love Event. Simply upload a photo of something that illustrates what you do (and love) – a client, a volunteer, a meal, etc. – and an image generator will enable you to post and share on Facebook, Twitter and beyond!

Here are a few examples of images Meals on Wheels America created and will post on social media throughout the Share the Love Event:

Get started today at sharewhatyoulove.subaru.com.

FOUR THINGS YOU CAN DO NOW TO PREPARE FOR MARCH FOR MEALS

Did you know that Meals on Wheels America Members collectively raised more than $1.6 million and recruited nearly 5,000 volunteers through their 2015 March for Meals activities?

Meals on Wheels America has committed to help you prepare for March for Meals earlier and better than ever before. While we’re working on updating the March for Meals website, all traffic is now being directed to a temporary page at www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/marchformeals where you can access the most current information.

In the meantime, here are four things you could be doing now to get ready:

RECRUIT HELP AND START PLANNING
Now is a great time to assemble your March for Meals team, discuss lessons learned from your 2015 celebration, brainstorm new March for Meals activities and map out a planning timeline. If you’re short on staff, it’s a good time to recruit spring 2016 interns to organize and execute your March for Meals activities. Check with local universities and community colleges in your area to see how you can post the opportunity. Additionally, if you have eager volunteers who can’t deliver meals during the day, ask them to help plan some March for Meals events on evenings or weekends and engage on social media.
RECRUIT COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS
Community Champions Week is the special week in March during which we invite local and federal officials, celebrities, athletes and other prominent community figures to speak out, deliver meals and raise awareness. This year, it’s scheduled for Monday, March 21 through Friday, March 25. While this falls on Holy Week, we chose to continue using the third full week of March because Members of Congress are scheduled to be in their home districts that week, making it an ideal opportunity to invite them to visit your program.*If this week doesn’t work for your program or some of your Champions, we encourage you to find another day or week in March that does!
ENLIST SPONSORS AND FUNDERS NOW
While you’re soliciting and collecting year-end donations from local businesses and organizations, invite them to also join the annual nationwide March for Meals 2016 celebration. If you’re not ready to ask for another monetary donation, suggest other supportive activities such as having their employees adopt a delivery route in March, committing executives to do ride-alongs during Community Champions Week and holding a staff-wide fundraiser or food drive.

PLAN AND SEARCH FOR EVENTS TO TIE INTO
As we near the end of the year, 2016 community event calendars will start to be made public! They make great resources for discovering already-existing events where you can promote March for Meals and establish partnerships. For instance, if a local hospital has a health fair planned for March, reach out now to discuss raising awareness on the health benefits of receiving Meals on Wheels. Or, if a local high school or university is looking for service projects during Spring Break, make sure your program is at the top of the list!

Keep an eye out for more helpful 2016 March for Meals resources before the end of the year! If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to reach out to our March for Meals Campaign Coach, Lauren Fielder, at lauren@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or 571-339-1621.

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

#GIVINGTUESDAY CONTINUES TO GENERATE DONATIONS

Four years after its start, #GivingTuesday has proven it’s much more than a gimmicky fundraising trend during the hectic holiday season. In fact, it brings more than 30,000 retailers across 68 countries together on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving to ensure much-needed funds are given to nonprofits like Meals on Wheels. In doing so, they’ve generated nearly a 500% increase in online charitable donations.

Learn how you can take advantage of this generous day, as well as receive tips on how to prepare and attract donors accordingly from a recent Nonprofit Quarterly article here.

The author, Gladys Morris. (Photo courtesy of Age Options)

WHEN WORKING ISN’T ENOUGH: THE SOBERING REALITY FOR MANY AMERICAN SENIORS

Gladys Morris is just one of the seniors being served by AgeOptions in Oak Park, IL. However, her struggle to make ends meet despite her steady income is more common than not. Her story, detailed in a Washington Post article that ran earlier this month, highlights the value of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and helps to break down some of the common misconceptions around this vital safety net. Read Gladys’ full story here.

ASSOCIATION UPDATES

GOING FOR THE GOLD: MEALS ON WHEELS BRAND RECOGNIZED FOR MEMBER VALUE

Transform Magazine honors and rewards the most innovative, creative and successful brand work around the world. Earlier this month, it held its very first awards competition in the North American region and the new Meals on Wheels America brand came out on top! The Gold Award specifically recognized the Association’s success in creating a brand that is inclusive of our Member programs and State Associations. This follows the brand’s recent recognition as one of the best new brands of 2015 that we reported on earlier this year.

Our Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Susan Waldman was on hand to receive the award on behalf of the national network of Member programs.

“We are particularly proud to win Gold in the External Stakeholders category as it confirms our efforts to unify the Meals on Wheels voice and turn up its volume across the country to increase our impact for the seniors we serve.”

Learn more about the Transform Awards and the big brands that won some of the event’s other categories here.

FIRST WEBINAR IN AD COUNCIL SERIES BREAKS TOWN HALL PARTICIPATION RECORD

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A record number of you tuned in to our first in an ongoing Virtual Town Hall series to hear how you can begin now to prepare to meet the influx of new volunteer prospects we hope to send your way through the nationwide Ad Council campaign. This series is intended to support your program to leverage the campaign’s impact in your own communities and was kicked off by Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander. The Ad Council’s Vice President of Campaigns Deborah Leiter shared what we learned in the research about volunteer prospects and explained the importance of unifying our Meals on Wheels network and the messages that will be delivered in our PSAs.

Here's what some of your peers had to say about the presentation:

"I can't tell you how excited I am about this campaign. Truly, I feel re-energized and can't wait to share the information with my team."

"This core message is critical for the future success of Meals on Wheels programs across the country as we face increased competition from food delivery services and other charities with 'sexier' brands."

"[I learned of] new and exciting ways to recruit volunteers, especially the young generation – plus new, modern ads and tools for recruiting volunteers and possible donors."

ACCESS THE RECORDING NOW

Log into the Members-only Ad Council Updates section of our website (Member login required) to access the recording and presentation. Quick tip to make your life easier: Bookmark this page to access future tools that will prepare you for the campaign.

UPCOMING TOWN HALL TOPICS

We hope you show up for every Town Hall in this new series! Upcoming topics we will be discussing include:

“Low-friction” volunteer sign-ups and onboarding
How to make sure your program’s info is up to date so you can be easily found
Jumping on board the national brand
How to engage media in your community for even greater local impact

Hope to “see” you soon! Questions? Contact adcouncil@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

NEW MEALS ON WHEELS AMERICA ADDRESS

You can find us at our new address, below. And, as always, feel free to reach us on our main line at 1-888-998-6325, too!

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MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES & BENEFITS

LOCK IN CURRENT MEMBERSHIP RATES FOR 2016 NOW

You may already know that we recently announced a new dues structure for the Association that is based on program size, as defined by senior nutrition operating budget. This change will apply to all new Memberships and renewals due on or after January 1, 2016. Lock in the 2015 rate of $150 per Member organization by renewing by December 31, 2015. Simply email membership@mealsonwheelsamerica.org to receive a 2016 dues invoice at the 2015 dues rate.

Questions? Contact our Chief Membership Officer Keith Greene at keith@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or 571-339-1610.

HOME DEPOT CELEBRATION OF SERVICE FUNDING NOW AVAILABLE

We started in September to bring you along for Home Depot's fifth annual Celebration of Service, benefiting Meals on Wheels America and eight other fortunate national partners, to split up to $1 million in grants to serve veterans. We're happy to report that all the social media likes, shares, comments and #serviceselfies paid off and we've earned $80,000 in Home Depot gift cards that we will distribute to our Members on a first-come, first-served basis for Team Depot projects for your veteran clients.

WHAT TEAM DEPOT CAN DO FOR YOU

Every Home Depot retail store in the U.S. and Canada has a Team Depot program that collectively donates millions of hours, tools and supplies to community service projects every year, as well as contributes their own group of Team Depot volunteers. As part of our earnings in the Celebration of Service, your program could qualify to receive funding for the supplies and support needed for your client’s home repair projects.

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The first step is to get your local Team Depot to agree to partner with you and provide volunteers for your special home repair project(s). When they do, you can request funding for the project (in the form of Home Depot gift cards) through our online grant system. Typical projects could include things like interior and exterior home repairs and beautification projects. Please note: specific support available to your program will vary based on your local Team Depot’s ability and your program’s need.

GET STARTED TODAY!

Follow these steps to create or leverage your relationship with a local Home Depot store and apply for our gift cards.

If you don't already have a relationship with your local Home Depot store, reach out to the "Team Depot Captain" (typically the Store Manager) and ask if they'd like to do a Team Depot Project. It will be helpful if you assess the needs of your veteran clients prior to this conversation. Use the store finder to locate a Home Depot near you.
Once your local Team Depot has accepted your program’s request to provide support, fill out a three-question funding application in our online grants management system explaining how you plan to use the gift cards. Members may request up to five $2,000 Home Depot gift cards, depending on the project(s) planned and funding available. The gift cards will be awarded by us and must be used on materials and supplies for your Team Depot project(s).
Meals on Wheels America will review your request for the gift cards on a rolling basis now through May 1, 2016 and gift cards will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds run out. You can expect to receive a funding decision within three weeks of submitting your application.
Once you receive the gift card(s), we'll provide press templates and sample social media posts to help you publicize and promote your Team Depot events. We ask that, in addition to promoting your Team Depot event(s), you take before/after photos and complete a final impact report once the projects are complete.

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FOR MORE INFORMATION

The funding won't last long, so act fast by applying here! As always, we're happy to help. Feel free to reach out to membership@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or call 888-998-6325 with any questions.

MEMBER DISCOUNT PROGRAM NOW PROVIDING NEW SOFTWARE SAVINGS

The Meals on Wheels America Member Discount Program makes it even easier and less expensive to utilize donor management software solutions to increase revenue and donor retention through our latest Group Purchasing Program partner, Bloomerang.

Bloomerang is a cloud-based donor management software tool designed to help small and mid-size nonprofits reach, engage and retain the advocates they depend on to achieve their goals. They’re now offering major savings for Meals on Wheels America Members:

A 10% discount off all first year and renewal Bloomerang database fees.

SAVE EVEN MORE! The more Members that sign up for Bloomerang’s services, the more savings for everyone. For every 10 Member programs that sign up, Bloomerang will provide an additional 1% discount - up to 22% off! Please note that the maximum annual discount per Meals on Wheels Member is $5,000.

Already using Bloomerang? You are eligible to receive discounted service fees when you renew!

The Bloomerang discount is offered through our group purchasing organization, Premier. If you’re not a Premier member yet, get started by contacting Steven Skelton, Meals on Wheels America Business Services Manager at steven@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or 706.436.3999.

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Did you know that we have an online discussion group where Members just like you are actively collaborating with their peers on crucial topics? Contribute and learn about these topics by joining our LinkedIn Discussion Group here. A few of the most recent conversations topics in the group include:

Best practices and products for transporting various meals;
How and when to recognize donors; and
Recommendations on emergency preparedness for inclement weather conditions.

LAST CALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE 2016 UNEMPLOYMENT COSTS

You have until November 30 to enroll with Unemployment Services Trust (UST) to receive significant potential unemployment tax savings in 2016.

UST is a trusted Meals on Wheels America partner and offers protection against unnecessary unemployment costs for eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Just last year, UST members saved over $34 million in unemployment claims cost savings!

"We need to stretch our money as far as we can so that we can serve more people. Being part of the Trust saves money."

– Immediate Past Chair, Vinsen Faris, Meals on Wheels America

Don’t miss this deadline! Apply here. Questions? Contact a dedicated UST advisor at 888-249-4788 or info@chooseust.org.

GALLO CONTINUES TO GIVE BACK TO MEALS ON WHEELS WITH EVERY CORK COUNTS™

Gallo Family Vineyards is continuing its partnership with Meals on Wheels America in our fight to end senior isolation and hunger through its annual Every Cork Counts™ program. The program’s goal is to raise awareness for Meals on Wheels and donate even more campaign funds so we can continue to support your program and the seniors you serve. Everyone can get involved with the campaign and we encourage you to do so!

GET INVOLVED WITH EVERY CORK COUNTS™

Participating in the campaign is easy and open to all. Simply submit any Gallo Family wine cork or screw cap between now and December 31, 2015 to generate a $1 donation to Meals on Wheels America. This year, it’s even easier to make every cork count using Gallo's digital cork collector. Here’s how:

Pick up a bottle of your favorite Gallo Family Vineyards’ wines at a local retailer near you.
Snap a picture of the Gallo Family cork or cap.
Text “GALLO” to 811811 and follow the subsequent instructions on how to submit the Gallo cork or cap photo.
Last and certainly not least, enjoy your bottle of Gallo wine!

If you prefer good ol’ fashioned snail mail, you can mail in your corks to:

Gallo Family Vineyards 2015 Every Cork Counts™
Dept. 10299, P.O. Box 5015
Stacy, MN 55078-5015

Cheers to sending in or snapping pictures of your corks and caps!

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Alpena Senior Citizens Center, Alpena, MI
Community Support Services of Niagara, Welland, ON
Connecticut Department of Social Services, Hartford, CT
Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley, Inc., Lawrence, MA

Meals on Wheels of Amarillo, Texas, Inc, Amarillo, TX
Murray Calloway County Senior Citizens Center, Murray, KT
Norcross Meals on Wheels Inc., Norcross, GA
San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council, Inc., Calabasas, CA