OCO Launches March for Meals Campaign

The staff of Oswego County Opportunities’ Nutrition Services is asking Oswego County residents to join them in their annual March for Meals campaign by being a part of the many events that they will be hosting during the month of March.  OCO’s annual March for Meals campaign helps to raise the awareness of senior hunger in Oswego County and serves as a fundraiser to help support the agency’s Meals on Wheels program. 

To celebrate their March for Meals Campaign, OCO Nutrition Services has planned the following community events:

March 19 through March 23, Community Champions Week. To raise awareness and to encourage action at the local level, OCO invites elected officials, business leaders, and community members to participate. Community Champions are encouraged to show their support by raising awareness of OCO’s Meals on Wheels program, speaking out on behalf of seniors, delivering meals to homebound Meals On Wheels participants and / or helping to serve meals at one of OCO’s 6 Dining and Activity Centers.

Meals on Wheels Collection Vans.  Look for donation boxes shaped as delivery vans at senior centers and in local places of business throughout the month of March. All donations will be used to support Meals on Wheels and provide special events at OCO’s Dining and Activity Centers.

Volunteer Recruitment. Use your lunch break to help seniors in your neighborhood! OCO invites community members to experience the joy and satisfaction of delivering meals to homebound seniors or serving guests at one of OCO’s 6 activity and dining centers.

Photo Contest.  Throughout the month of March OCO will hold a photo contest.    Community members are welcome to enter interesting photos that capture the beauty, or amazement of person, place or object that is over the age of 60.  Entries will be posted on the OCO Nutrition Services Facebook page and its OCO website page. There is a $10 entry fee for each photo submitted. 1st place prize is $100, 2nd $50 and 3rd place $30. Registration forms are available by calling Nutrition Services at 315-598-4712, online at www.oco.org/nurition, the OCO Senior Centers page on Facebook, or via email at bdolbear@oco.org.

Like them on Facebook.  Visit the OCO Seniors Centers page on Facebook to find the latest information on OCO’s Meals on Wheels program and its Dining and Activity Centers.  Click on the like button and help spread the word about OCO’s Nutrition Services.

The Annual March for Meals campaign is led by Meals on Wheels America and gives the businesses, organizations, governments and volunteers who contribute so generously in their communities an opportunity to support homebound seniors in a variety of ways to make America stronger and healthier. Pictured here from left are Nutrition Services employees Nichole Hart, Trish Phelps, Lesley Kline, and Cheryl Maxfield preparing some of the meals.

According to Meals on Wheels America nearly 1 in 6 seniors struggle with hunger, for millions of Americans programs such as OCO’s Meals on Wheels is literally the difference between remaining in their own homes and needing to relocate to a nursing facility. The nutritious meal, friendly visit and safety check help them cope with three of the biggest threats of aging: hunger, isolation and loss of independence. Research proves that when seniors have the right support, they gain greater quality of life, need fewer hospital stays and live longer.

“The food and human contact we provide to seniors in this community is needed more than ever,” said Nutrition Services Program Coordinator Bridget Dolbear.  “A recent survey on our Meals On Wheels participants revealed some eye opening statistics:

- 99% of participants said that the Meals On Wheels program has allowed them to    continue living independently in their own home.

- 53% stated that their Meals on Wheels driver is the only visitor they have.

- 36% do not have the means to purchase the food they need to survive. 

OCO Nutrition Services does more than just deliver a nutritious meal; it’s a safety check and a welcome visit.  “For many the Meals on Wheels drivers are the only person that the homebound participants see for days at a time.  They serve as a lifeline to homebound and socially isolated seniors.    Our participants have said that it makes them feel better to have someone check on them and they enjoy the conversations as much as the meals,” added Dolbear.  “This combination of services goes well beyond fighting the battle against hunger; it provides the support and peace of mind that enable them to remain safely and securely in their own homes as they continue to age.”

“We need community members to come out and support our March For Meals events so that we may continue to be a lifeline to the seniors we serve through our Meals On Wheels program and at our Dining and Activity Centers.  Our clients are counting on us.  We can’t let them down, added Dolbear.” 

The OCO’s Meals on Wheels program delivers more than 1,000 meals each day to homebound seniors. There are no un-served areas in the county.  While the program does have some paid employee routes it is the volunteers that are the driving force behind the Meals on Wheels program.  “We have 18 volunteer routes for our home delivered meals, said Support Services Manager Christine Parks. “Our program relies heavily on the assistance we receive from our volunteers.  We couldn’t do it without them.  If anyone is interested in delivering meals or helping out at one of our Dining and Activity Centers please call us at (315) 598-4712, we would love to hear from you.”

In addition to the Meals on Wheels program OCO Nutrition Services has 6 senior Dining and Activity Centers located Fulton, Hannibal, Mexico, Parish, Phoenix, and the North Shore. The centers offer fun activities and friendly conversations.

Dolbear added that updates on OCO’s March for Meals campaign as well as photos from the events and activities at OCO’s Dining and Activity Centers would be on their Facebook page, OCO Senior Centers.  “I encourage community members to like us on Facebook.  Our goal is to have 100 additional likes by the end of March!”   For more information on the March for Meals campaign and to learn how you can help put an end to senior hunger, contact Bridget Dolbear at OCO Senior Nutrition Services, 315-598-4712, ext. 1813 or via e-mail at bdolbear@oco.org.

OCO Nutrition Services programs are partially supported through grants from OCO partners: Oswego County Office for the Aging; New York State Office for the Aging; and the United Way of Greater Oswego, Inc.

A private, non-profit agency, OCO’s many programs touch the lives of more than 30,000 Oswego County residents each. One of Oswego County’s largest employers, OCO employs more than 650 people and boasts a volunteer force of 1200. OCO strives to improve the quality of life in Oswego County by helping people, supporting communities and changing lives. For more information, visit the OCO website at www.oco.org.