March 2024 marks the 24^th annual International March for Meals campaign. Prince Edward Community Care has been providing hot Meals on Wheels since 1980. 2024 marks 44 years that this program has operated in Prince Edward County. Our amazing volunteers deliver nutritious meals, short and friendly visits and safety checks that enable seniors to live nourished lives in their own homes with independence and dignity.

The annual March for Meals campaign began in the United States to increase public awareness and to ensure that seniors, caregivers and others know about Meals on Wheels. Another component to the campaign is to bring awareness that will result in recruiting new volunteers. 

Meals on Wheels America created the March for Meals as a way to commemorate the month in 1972 when the US President signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act and established a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. Since 2002, March for Meals has grown into a full-scale international awareness, fundraising and volunteer recruitment campaign.

In 2002 Community Care added to the hot meal program and began free delivery of frozen Meals on Wheels. These meals are ordered from Apetito and are high quality, very tasty and low in sodium.  Special diets are available. There is one low cost for the many choices of entrees. Soups and desserts are also available. 

Requests for Meals on Wheels come to Community Care from seniors, their family and caregivers, physicians and others. These meals are delivered to the door of seniors by friendly volunteers. The delivery also serves as a security check.

Community Care helps seniors live at home. Other services include transportation to medical appointments and shopping, monthly curbside pick-up meals for seniors, delivery of groceries & library books, help with Income Tax, reassurance programs, caregiver support, homemaking, yard work and home maintenance and online/in-person Active Living Programs. The agency is partly funded by the Ministry of Health and supported by donations and community fundraising efforts.

Community Care is planning some special events during March for Meals. Watch this column to learn more. For information about Meals on Wheels, other programs to help seniors live at home, or how to become a volunteer, call Community Care at 613-476-7493 or www.communitycareforseniors.org