TAKE THE PLEDGE…..........

Posted on: 2013 03 07

CVAA ( Champlain Valley Agency on Aging) along with hundreds of Meals on Wheels providers across the country are asking people in the month of March to take the Pledge to End Senior Hunger by 2020. Nationally over 8.3 million seniors face hunger each day. You can help go to cvaa.org and take the pledge. This campaign is designed to bring attention to the problem of senior hunger. Together we can solve this problem. Locally CVAA delivers over 245,000 Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors right here in the Champlain Valley. The more signatures we get for the pledge the better chance Vermont has of receiving much needed grant money from the Meals on Wheels Association of America, in addition it applies pressure to Federal legislators to restore cuts to senior nutrition programs.   Meals on Wheels are delivered at no cost to seniors who are no longer safely able to prepare their own food or who face food insecurity. This is often the only program they need to remain in their own homes where they wish to be. In addition, these nutritious meals help seniors who have chronic health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure better manage their health and improve their quality of life. During the month of March you will see a major push to address the issue of senior hunger. Over 800 CVAA volunteers deliver meals each day and more volunteers are needed.   On March 20th mayors across the Champlain Valley and across the nation will participate in the Mayors for Meals campaign to highlight the need in our community. Call your mayor to see if they are participating. Together we can end senior hunger!   For a suggested donation of $3.50 a senior gets a hot nutritious meal, delivered by a friendly volunteer who not only provides some companionship but a safety check to make sure all is well. Volunteers often find seniors sick or injured during their routes and without the quick thinking CVAA volunteer the senior may not have received the necessary medical attention. Many seniors are unable to pay the full suggested donation, all CVAA asks is they give what they can and if they are unable to give anything that is ok also. No one is denied a meal based on ability to pay. To ensure that everyone has access to Meals on Wheels CVAA relies on community support.   CVAA will be holding its 3rd annual CVAA Bowl-a-thon to Strike Out Senior Hunger on March 23 from 1:30- 4pm at Spare Time in Colchester. Teams of 4 raise pledges of $400 per team to Strike Out Hunger. There will be prizes and, refreshments and fun. This year the theme is Escape to Paradise, teams are encouraged to dress in their best island wear. Join the fun; register your team today at cvaa.org!