Meals on Wheels' 2019 Community Champions!

Massillon, OH (March 12, 2019) – In honor of the 2019 March for Meals Community Champions Week, Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio, a Program of VANTAGE Aging, announces this year’s participating Community Champions.

Throughout the week of March 18th-22nd, the following elected officials and prominent figures will be volunteering to deliver meals in Stark and Wayne Counties: Law Director Jennifer Arnold, Alliance; Kayla Atchinson, Representative of Congressman Gonzela’s Office, Jackson; Fire Chief Akbar Bennet, Canton; Mayor Tom Bernabei, Canton; Sheriff Ryan Carver, Louisville; Fire Chief Tom Garra, Canton; Mayor Dave Handwerk, Dalton; City Auditor Stefanie Myers, Massillon; Senator Scott Oelslager, Massillon; County Commissioner Richard Regula, Massillon; City Treasurer Maude Slagle, Massillon; Council Member Chris Smith, Canton; and Victoria VanBuskirk, Representative of Congressman Gibbs’ office, Jackson.

“We commend all of our 2019 Community Champions for stepping up in support to support a solution that will strengthen communities into the future,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “With 12,000 Americans turning 60 each day, now is the time to invest in these vital programs so that we can provide every senior in need with the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that will enable them to live healthier and independent in their own homes.”

Community Champions week is designed part of the annual, national Meals on Wheels America March for Meals campaign. March for Meals commemorates the historic day in March 1972 when President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 and established a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. Since 2002, Meals on Wheels programs from across the country have joined forces for the annual awareness campaign to celebrate this successful public-private partnership and garner the support needed to fill the gap between the seniors served and those still in need.

“As a result of the recent merger between VANTAGE Meals on Wheels in Summit County and Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties, we have started work to expand services in all three areas. Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio is dedicated to reaching seniors in its growing community, but we cannot do it alone. We need advocates, awareness, and – most of all – we need volunteers in Stark and Wayne Counties,” said Ted Watko, COO of VANTAGE Aging. “Community Champions’ participation this week helps our agency promote community volunteerism and gain much-needed visibility for our cause.”

The agency is very excited to receive this rally of support in March, but it is also in urgent need of more permanent volunteers to keep up with the increasing demand for its services. Volunteers must be licensed drivers and have auto insurance coverage. Deliveries are made between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Friday and take approximately 60 to 90 minutes to complete. The agency provides volunteers with training and mileage reimbursement is available upon request. Meals on Wheels welcomes those who would like to become regular drivers, or occasional substitute drivers. There is also an Adopt-A-Route program which allows companies to deliver in the community through an employee-rotation schedule.

For those individuals or businesses interested in volunteering at Meals on Wheels, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Anngi Klick, at 330-832-7220 ext. 113 or email at aklick@vantageaging.org.

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About VANTAGE Aging: VANTAGE Aging provides high-quality programs to empower the economic, social, physical, and mental well-being of adults as they age. Non-medical in-home care is provided by Home Wellness Solutions. Behavioral Health Solutions offers mental health counseling and treatment for alcohol and other drug use issues to adults age 45 and older. Job training for low-income adults age 55 and older is offered through the Senior Community Service Employment Program. Evidenced-based volunteering to meet local and national needs is provided by RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) volunteers. Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio provides home-delivered and congregate meals to provide nutritional support to the homebound and disabled. Overall, VANTAGE’s programs come together to offer a path for positive aging. Founded in 1975 as a senior citizen program, VANTAGE has since become an independent, nationally respected organization with offices throughout the state. For more information, call 330.253.4597 or visit www.vantageaging.org.

About Meals on Wheels America: Meals on Wheels America is the oldest and largest national organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based senior nutrition programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. This network exists in virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, research, education and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.