CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Inc. announced their participation in the National Mayors For Meals Day as a part of their March For Meals campaign. March For Meals is a national campaign, organized by the Meals On Wheels Association of America. It is designed to raise awareness of the need for good nutrition for senior citizens, to underscore the value of the meal service in preserving senior independence, and to encourage communities to take an active part in ensuring the program continues. Senior nutrition programs across the United States promote March For Meals in a variety of ways including public events, partnerships with local businesses, volunteer recruitment, and fundraising initiatives. Mayors For Meals Day was introduced in 2006 as an outgrowth of March For Meals.
This year, five local mayors took time out of their work day to hand deliver meals and visit consumers throughout Clearfield County. Participating mayors included Mayor Patty Gilliland, Clearfield; Mayor Michael Bacher, Ramey; Mayor Don Hoover, Curwensville; Mayor John ‘Herm’ Suplizio, DuBois, and Mayor Margaret Maddelena, of Coalport. They joined over 1,200 other government officials throughout the nation who took part in this national program.
Clearfield County’s Mayors For Meals Day event included home delivery of meals and visits to area Meals on Wheels and More recipients. “This is our second year participating in the Mayors for Meals Day program and we are pleased that participation has grown from one mayor to five. We hope to raise awareness of this essential program and encourage citizens of Clearfield County to become involved through financial support when local fundraisers are conducted. Their support is vital to help meet the needs of older citizens throughout our county.” said Rikki Ross, Marketing and Events Coordinator for CCAAA.
In conjunction with these events, Gov. Edward G. Rendell proclaimed the week of March 9-13 as Older Pennsylvanians’ Nutrition Awareness Week. Area Agencies on Aging and senior community centers celebrated National Nutrition Month with the theme, “Eat Well, Stay Active, Live Longer.”
According to Department of Aging acting Secretary, John Michael Hall, “Pennsylvania invests over $64 million each year to provide nutritious meals for older people, helping to ensure their health and independence.” In Clearfield County, the Meals on Wheels and More program serves nearly 170,000 meals to more than 1,000 consumers per year. Approximately 525 meals are delivered every day! In addition, another 40,000 meals per year are served at various senior centers in the county.
For additional information, or to make a contribution to the local Meals on Wheels and More Program, please contact the CCAAA at 814-765-2696 or visit them online.
Programs and services of the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging are funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, The Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, Mature Resources Foundation, and local and client contributions.
