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    Meals on Wheels America COVID-19 Response


     
    KEEPING SENIORS SAFE AMID COVID-19

    Vulnerable seniors are at the greatest risk amid COVID-19. Local Meals on Wheels programs are on the front lines every day, focused on doing all they can to keep older Americans safe and nourished in communities across the country. The costs and efforts needed to protect seniors from COVID-19 require additional emergency funds, and that is why we are asking federal lawmakers, corporations, foundations and the general public to remember these vulnerable seniors in our national response. We’re monitoring the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation and will continue to share updates as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we ask for your help.
     
     
     

    89% OF PROGRAMS REPORT INCREASED DEMAND FOR MEALS

    Vulnerable seniors are at the greatest risk amid COVID-19. Local Meals on Wheels programs are on the front lines every day, focused on doing all they can to keep older Americans safe and nourished in communities across the country.

    The latest pulse survey conducted by Meals on Wheels America finds that nearly all local Meals on Wheels programs are experiencing financial strain and uncertainty while maintaining critical service to an estimated hundreds of thousands more seniors than before the pandemic hit in March.

    This latest research reveals that programs are now serving an average of 77% more meals and 47% more seniors than they were March 1, indicating a sustained increase in need for meals, and a continuing upward trajectory of senior client growth nationwide.
     

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    DONATE NOW TO SUPPORT YOUR SENIOR NEIGHBORS

    TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

    The costs and efforts associated with protecting seniors from COVID-19 require additional emergency funds, which is why we are working with federal lawmakers to make sure vulnerable seniors are not forgotten in the national response.

    And that won't be enough. That's why we launched the Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund to support this effort. The Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund will help local communities across the country meet the increased demand for nutritious meals that can keep our seniors safe and healthy.

    “We added over 500 seniors in need of meals in the last week. 
    We anticipate this need to continue, and we will accept all those in need who qualify."  
    —Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund Grant Recipient

    Donated funds will replenish food supplies, subsidize additional transportation and personnel costs, enable tech-based efforts to check in on isolated seniors and support timely distribution of science-based information needed to ensure safe care for all. For corporate, institutional and foundation donations, please contact kristine@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or 301-233-9998.

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    IMPACT WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST

    MORE THAN $28.7 MILLION ALREADY DELIVERED TO THE PANDEMIC'S FRONT LINES


    We have already sent more than $28.7 million dollars directly to the front lines in the fight against COVID-19. To date, your donations have already helped 610 local Meals on Wheels programs continue to serve as a vital lifeline for at-risk seniors throughout this crisis.

    America’s seniors were already at risk. When COVID-19 hit, a staggering 89% of Meals on Wheels programs reported increased demand for meals, practically overnight. 79% of them saw their demand double, all while stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines forced significant modifications in their core structure and service model. The kindness and generosity of organizations and people like you continue to make sure our seniors have this critical lifeline.

    KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING

    COVID-19 imposed a sudden and imminent risk to older Americans—and the response from all across this country was unprecedented. Ordinary people stood up, spoke up and gave generously so that Meals on Wheels could provide a lifeline for millions of isolated, frightened seniors whose futures still remain terribly uncertain. We need to keep the momentum of generosity going.

    NATIONAL RESPONSE

    Meals on Wheels serves an incredibly vulnerable population and is often the primary lifeline delivering so much more than just a meal, especially in uncertain times. Across the country, local programs are monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation, taking precautions to protect these high-risk individuals, and preparing for increased demand and new ways of delivering services. We know the critical importance of preparation in times like this and understand the delicate balance between panic and preparedness. You can read our frequently-updated national coronavirus response here.

    THE FIGHT FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING

    We are urging the Administration and Congress to ensure local senior nutrition programs are adequately resourced. It is critical that these community-based programs have access to supplemental federal funding and clear, timely emergency guidance.
     
    Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander and National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) Executive Director Bob Blancato released a joint statement regarding the federal response to the COVID-19 crisis.
     
    The President signed the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 (H.R. 748) into law on March 27, marking the third consecutive federal emergency package that has been signed into law in the past three weeks to respond to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, and it takes significant steps to support senior nutrition programs and the vulnerable individuals they serve. This package includes $500 million for Older Americans Act (OAA) Congregate, Home-Delivered and Native American Nutrition Services, which is in addition to the $250 million that was passed on March 18 in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201). This current package also includes policy changes that senior nutrition programs have said they need at this time in order to act quickly and provide services during this public emergency. You can view our joint statement with NANASP commending Congress and the Administration for these enactments here.

    Meals on Wheels America

    CURRENT CDC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AT-RISK OLDER ADULTS

    Like many illnesses, older adults face higher risks of contracting COVID-19 and/or experiencing complications, particularly if they also have chronic medical conditions. According to CDC, if you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, you should:

    We encourage concerned individuals to follow state and local health department communications for the best information and accurate instructions for each unique community.

    SIMPLE WAYS YOU CAN HELP

    Take precautions around high-risk individuals

    Whether you’re visiting your grandparents or volunteering for Meals on Wheels, please follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on how to protect yourself and individuals at risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

    EMAIL YOUR SENATORS TO URGE FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF

    Email your Senators and urge them to swiftly pass COVID-19 legislation that includes emergency funding for Meals on Wheels. 

    Contact your at-risk loved ones and neighbors

    Now is the time to call, text or email your older neighbors and loved ones to see what they might need to be prepared. Let them know you’re thinking about them and that you’re available to help, should they need it. 
     

    Reach out to your local Meals on Wheels provider

    Each individual Meals on Wheels provider is unique in the specific support they may need at this time. We encourage you to reach out to the providers in your area to learn more about how best to support them during this time. 

    FIND YOUR LOCAL PROVIDER

     

    TAKE ACTION

    There are several simple actions you can take to make sure seniors are not forgotten. Support their safe and dignified future. Share our video to inspire others to stand up and support seniors too.

    ACT NOW

    How to Help Seniors Amid COVID-19

    LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT WE DO

    Our suite of National Fact Sheets tells the story of senior hunger, isolation and poverty around the country and highlights how Meals on Wheels is helping to address these rapidly growing issues. Download the 2020 versions below:

    THE ESCALATING PROBLEM OF SENIOR HUNGER & ISOLATION

    2020Issue_Screenshot

    DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET
    SOURCES & METHODS

    DELIVERING SO MUCH
    MORE THAN JUST A MEAL

    2020Deliver_Screenshot

    DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET
    SOURCES & METHODS

    HOW MEALS ON WHEELS
    IS FUNDED

    2020Funding_Screenshot

    DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET
    SOURCES & METHODS

    STAY CONNECTED

    We’re monitoring the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation and will continue to add resources, updates and ways you can help as they become available. You can sign up to receive regular updates on our efforts to support seniors in need.

    Please visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization for additional updates and resources. We encourage concerned individuals to follow state and local health department communications for the best information and accurate instructions for each unique community.

    Are you a local senior nutrition program? Access all the resources your Membership provides here or join today.

    For general questions, please contact us at info@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or 1-888-998-6325. For national press inquiries, please contact press@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.