Urbana officials take part in March for Meals

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COLUMBUS – Urbana elected officials participated in the 14th annual March for Meals Celebration.

Their presence created an awareness of senior hunger in the community and addressed the isolation many older adults face each day in Champaign County. LifeCare Alliance, the Midwest’s leading provider of Meals-on-Wheels, coordinated the volunteer opportunities for the elected officials and is the organization that prepares and distributes home-delivered meals to residents in Champaign County, so they remain independent in the comfort of their own homes.

Mayor Bill Bean, Champaign County Auditor Karen Bailey, Champaign County Prosecutor Kevin Talebi, Urbana City Council President Marty Hess and Champaign County Transit Manager Gary Ledford delivered meals on either March 21 or March 23.

Elected officials were invited to serve as volunteers during the March for Meals event. Their presence created an awareness of senior hunger in our community and addressed the isolation many older adults face each day in Central Ohio. This celebration is about Meal-on-Wheels’ homebound older adults and senior dining center participants who rely on this service to maintain an independent lifestyle in the comfort of their homes.

”The services that we provide in the home and in the community to older adults in Franklin, Madison, Marion, Champaign and Logan counties are critical, and the need is rapidly increasing,” said LifeCare Alliance President and CEO Chuck Gehring. “Together, we can keep the older adult clients living an independent, healthy lifestyle in their own homes – where they want to be.”

Since 2002, Meals on Wheels America has led the annual awareness campaign to fill the gap between the seniors served and those in need that is widening due to increased demand with a rapidly aging population combined with declining public and private resources, and rising food, transportation and operational costs. This March, hundreds of local Meals on Wheels programs, like LifeCare Alliance, will reach out to their communities to build the support that will enable them to deliver nutritious meals, friendly visits, and safety checks to America’s seniors all year long.

“The Meals on Wheels ‘more than just a meal’ model addresses three of the biggest threats of aging: isolation, hunger, and loss of independence,” said Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander. “More than ever, we must join forces to meet the needs of the fastest growing population in America who want to be able to live at home for as long as they can. It not only makes economic sense to enable seniors to stay healthy and safe at home, but it improves the health and vibrancy of our communities and our nation at large.”

For more information on how you can volunteer, contribute or speak out for the seniors in central Ohio and across the country, visit www.lifecarealliance.org.

Mayor Bill Bean with Senior Dining Center client Edna Adams at South Point Village during the 2016 March for Meals Celebration.
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2016/04/web1_Meals.jpgMayor Bill Bean with Senior Dining Center client Edna Adams at South Point Village during the 2016 March for Meals Celebration. Courtesy photo

Submitted Story

Submitted by LifeCare Alliance.

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