Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties joins programs from across the country in 15th Annual March for Meals Celebration

[Massillon, OH] – Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties announced today that it will be participating in the 15th annual March for Meals – a month-long, nationwide celebration of Meals on Wheels and the homebound and vulnerable individuals who rely on its vital safety net. The agency is participating in the year’s Community Champion’s Week, celebrated between Monday, March 20th and Friday, March 24th.

The following is a list of Community Champions and the Meals on Wheels site at which they will be delivering: Law Director Jennifer Arnold, Alliance; Mayor Tom Bernabei, Canton; Mayor Robert Breneman, Wooster; Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry, Massillon; Treasurer Jan Ferrero, Massillon; Representative Christina Hagan, Louisville; Mayor Dave Handwerk, Dalton; Auditor Alan Harold, Canton; Council Member Julie Jakmides, Alliance; Jennifer Kiko, Representative Gibbs’ Office, Massillon; Sheriff George Maier, Louisville; Senator Scott Oelslager, Massillon; Treasurer Maude Slagle, Massillon.

Community Champions week is designed to raise awareness of Meals on Wheels programs and their need for support from the community.

“The services that we provide to individuals in Stark and Wayne Counties are critical and the need is rapidly increasing,” said Ted Watko, CEO of Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties. “Together, we can keep individuals living independently, healthier at home and feeling more connected to their community.”

The agency is very excited to receive this rally of support in March. It is always in need of permanent volunteers, and this campaign shines a light on this need. 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.

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 or email: klick@mow-starkwayne.org.

About Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties

Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties is a non-profit agency that provides nutritional support to homebound individuals of all ages. Services include delivery of hot meals, breakfast meals, sack suppers, frozen meals, chopped meals, pureed meals and liquid supplements (pending physician referral), Monday through Friday. The agency has 17 sites throughout Stark and Wayne Counties and depends on volunteers to fulfill its mission. To learn more about the agency’s services and programs, including how to become a volunteer, call 330-832-7220 or 1-800-466-8010, or visit www.mow-starkwayne.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.