NEK Council on Aging Joins in Month-long, Nationwide "March for Meals" Celebration

The NEK Council on Aging will be participating in the 18th annual March for Meals, a month-long, nationwide celebration of Meal on Wheels, a critical service provided to elder Vermonters to remain healthy and independent at home. The NEKCOA is partnering with 17 community dining sites to promote events taking place throughout the month.

“The services we provide are a lifeline for elders throughout the NEK and the need is rapidly increasing,” said Meg Burmeister, Executive Director of the NEKCOA. “Together, we can keep our elder neighbors well-nourished, safer, and more connected to our community as they age. March for Meals provides a unique opportunity for our entire meal site network to come together and celebrate the services they provide.”

A full list of the community dining sites and area activities are available on the NEKCOA website (nekcouncil.org) and include visits with area legislators at meal sites, fundraisers, seasonal or holiday menus (St. Patrick’s Day), dedications at meal sites for first responders, local restaurant partnerships, music performances, and more.

The annual March for Meals celebration commemorates the historic day in March of 1972 when President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. Since 2002, community-based Meals on Wheels programs from across the country have joined forces for the annual awareness campaign to celebrate this successful public-private partnership and garner the support needed to fill the gap between the elders served and those still in need.

“We’re grateful for the generous community support in helping to build awareness of the Meals on Wheels services provided at the 17 NEK community dining sites,” said Laura Valcour, Director of Wellness and Nutrition for the NEKCOA. “I am thrilled with the response from the meal sites and the activities they have planned. I am also grateful to area legislators and state representatives who have agreed to join our elder friends and neighbors for lunch during the celebrations. We encourage area businesses to help us celebrate as well by ordering take-out lunches for employees from their area community dining site.”