‘March for Meals’ is Wednesday

    Governor John Baldacci helped kick off a special event on Wednesday at the Statehouse. “March for Meals” is a national effort to address the problem of hunger and poor nutrition in our older population.
    “As Maine’s elderly population rises, the number of elderly Mainers going hungry is also increasing”, Baldacci said. “By providing meals and other nutrition services to those seniors, senior nutrition programs enable those individuals to live independently in their homes and avoid premature institutionalization”, said the Governor.
    The Aroostook Agency on Aging provides Meals-on-Wheels service in several area communities. At the time the Governor was making his remarks, agency staff and volunteers were delivering hot meals to the homes of 23 Houlton seniors; three in Hodgdon and one in Oakfield. 14 seniors were eating meals at the Houlton senior dining center located at Ricker Plaza.
    Steve Farnham, executive director of the agency on aging, said the average age of a homebound person receiving meals at home is 80 and the agency provided just over 102,000 meals to 1,207 older people in 2007. “The numbers sound impressive but in fact are down compared to what we were able to do just a few years ago. Government funding is shrinking and the program relies on donations – money from individuals and time from volunteers”, said Farnham.
    “This has been a hard winter for all of us but especially the elderly on fixed income,” said Farnham. “Meals-on-Wheels doesn’t just provide a meal, seniors overwhelmingly tell us that the daily contact by the volunteer who delivers their meal is so important. The delivery volunteer must put the meal in the hands of the person, not just leave it at the door.” This contact has been a lifesaver for some in medical distress and for some seniors it is the only human contact they have.
    To highlight the importance of the service and the need for money for meals and volunteers to help deliver the meals, the Agency on Aging is partnering with others. March 19 has been designated “Mayors for Meals” Day nationally and local officials in several area towns are joining the effort. Houlton Town Council Chair Paul Cleary and Councilor Sue Tortelle will help in delivering meals to the homebound that day in the Houlton area.
    The Agency on Aging is also partnering with Alan Shawn Feinstein and the Feinstein Foundation who has offered $1 million as match to fight hunger for organizations that help in this cause. “For every $1 donation we receive for the nutrition program in March and April, the Feinstein Foundation will match it”, reported Farnham. “Every dollar donated to the agency on aging for Meals-on-Wheels stays in this area and helps feed our elderly”, he said.
    Donations of any amount are welcome, are tax deductible and can be sent to Meals on Wheels, PO Box 1288, Presque Isle, ME 04769. If received by the agency by April 30, it will be matched by Feinstein. Volunteers are welcome and always needed to help in the delivery of meals.
    Contact the Agency on Aging by e-mail at info@aroostookaging.org; telephone 764-3396 or toll free 1-800-439-1789 or write to Meals on Wheels at the previous address.