March 18 – 22, 2024, Berks Encore will be hosting elected officials to visit Berks Encore Wellness & Activity Centers to assist with packing and delivering Meals on Wheels during #SaveLunch Champions Week – a nationwide campaign led by Meals on Wheels America designed to rally communities around our senior neighbors and protect the essential services that enable so many to remain healthy and independent at home.
National #SaveLunch efforts in March will commemorate the historic day in March of 1972 when the Older Americans Act was amended to include a nutrition program for Americans 60 years and older.
More than 50 years later, 12 million older Americans are still threatened by or experience hunger, and one in three seniors feels lonely. That is why Meals on Wheels programs from across the country are joining forces to raise awareness and support to ensure we can continue to address food insecurity and malnutrition, combat social isolation, enable independence, and improve health for decades to come.
“Now is an important time for us to unite to ensure that Meals on Wheels is there for all of our senior neighbors in need,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “In the face of soaring demand and costs that surpass our current resources, we need to come together as communities to bridge the gaps. I encourage you to participate by donating, volunteering, or speaking out for seniors throughout March to play your part. We can’t do it alone – it takes all of us to save lunch for our seniors.”
Berks Encore has scheduled visits with the following elected officials during the week of March 18 -22:
Berks Couty Commissioner Dante Santoni, Jr., Berks County Commissioner Michael Rivera, Berks County Controller Joe Rudderow, Representative Johnny Cepeda-Frytiz, Representative Mark Gillen, Representative Mark Rozzi, Representative Jamie Barton, Representative David Zimmerman, Representative Katie Muth, and Senator Judy Schwank.
