SIGN UP TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR INNOVATION PILOTS
We recently announced the latest update on our first-ever Data Driven Innovation Pilot Portal that was created to help Members adjust to the increasing demand to quantitatively prove the value of Meals on Wheels. Those Members participating in the pilot have already collected over 12,000 program-level and client health outcome data points on their way to creating the optimal data collection program. We are now opening this up to allow more Members to take part in this important effort.
BECOME PART OF THIS FORWARD-LOOKING GROUP
Participating in this pilot will position your program to meet the demands of funders today and into the future, and you will be guided through your role in the test. Reach out to Uche Akobundu, Meals on Wheels America’s Director of Project Management and Impact at
uche@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or 571-339-1629. Get started now!
FREE GIFT SET WITH ALL STORE PURCHASES – START SHOPPING!
Meals on Wheels programs are using our recently-launched Member Store to stock up on new merchandise, photos and videos that can all be customized and used to better tell your program’s compelling story. And, the best part? You can receive freebies when you do so! Place an order by
Monday, June 1,and receive a free Meals on Wheels America lapel pin and gift set.
SHOW US YOUR SWAG!
Snap a photo of your order in action – maybe it’s a volunteer delivering meals with their new hat – and we’ll feature it in our Store and on social media! Just send it along to
jeff@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
GAIN UNLIMITED PHOTO GALLERY ACCESS
Member programs that officially adopt the new Meals on Wheels brand through the use of the new customized logo or the Member Brand Badge will also get
free use of the of brand-new photography gallery that includes some of the photos you’re already seeing on our new website. You’ll find engaging senior portraits, volunteers in action and some great food and kitchen shots that you can use in your own communications and on your website.
GET STARTED NOW
Visit the
Member Store now to start. And, feel free to contact Jeff Fritz, Meals on Wheels America's Multi-Media Designer, at 571-339-1631 or
jeff@mealsonwheelsamerica.org with questions or suggestions on how we can provide you with more of the support that will engage your audiences and make your program more successful.
BANFIELD CHARITABLE TRUST AWARDS OVER $300,000 IN PET FOOD PROGRAM FUNDING
A record-breaking
135 Meals on Wheels Member programs will be receiving a combined $300,000 in Pet Food Program grant funding through
Banfield Charitable Trust (BCT) – nearly doubling the amount of funding and recipients it awarded during last spring’s grant cycle.
“Banfield Charitable Trust recognizes the love and companionship pets bring to the lives of people, especially seniors and homebound individuals. We are thrilled to be able to provide Pet Assistance Grant funding to Meals on Wheels organizations that also support this important relationship between their clients and their pets.”
- Darlene Schwartz, Program Manager for BCT
ABOUT THE BCT PET FOOD GRANT PROGRAM
BCT has awarded more than $1 million in grants to fund pet food distribution programs for Meals on Wheels America Members since 2007. Funding is made possible through BCT's annual holiday pet food drive that collects monetary and pet food donations at more than 800 Banfield Pet Hospitals nationwide. The food is distributed in the form of grants to local homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels America Member programs, and monetary donations are distributed in the form of grants to our Member programs every spring and fall.
SAVE 30% ON PAYROLL SERVICES THROUGH ADP
Your Meals on Wheels America Membership makes you automatically eligible to receive savings with from our newest
Member Discount Program partner –
ADP! ADP is a comprehensive global provider of Human Capital Management that offers solutions that your program can put to use, such as assistance with hiring new candidates, human resource-related advice, payroll, etc.
Regardless of your program size, ADP is able to offer solutions tailored to fit your specific needs. Get started today by contacting your Meals on Wheels America ADP representative Ethan Steible at 973-610-2455 or at
Ethan.Steible@adp.com.
YOUR OFFICE DEPOT SAVINGS STARTS WITH PREMIER
We recently announced the new and huge savings that Meals on Wheels America Members can access on Office Depot products, and many of you have jumped on the opportunity to do so. To access these big savings, you must first sign up for our free
Members-only Group Purchasing Program with
Premier. By enrolling, you will receive more discounts than ever before on Office Depot’s products, both online or at any of their 1,100 plus stores across the country. Sign up with Premier and start saving big on Office Depot products now.
GET STARTED NOW
- Enroll in our Group Purchasing Program with Premier (if you haven’t yet already) by completing the application here, making sure to check the “Office Supplies” box.
- If you’re already enrolled in our Group Purchasing Program and want to add the Office Depot discount, contact the Office Depot Account Manager Erica Bentley at 704-969-1009 or Erica.bentley@officedepot.com and she’ll get you all set up!
- Once you’re enrolled, Premier will assign you a Member ID number that you can apply when purchasing products which will be automatically applied to your purchase during check out.
- Start shopping!
QUESTIONS?
Please call our Business Services Manager Steven Skelton at 706-436-3999 or steven@mealsonwheelsamerica.org. You can also check out the Office Depot FAQ page here.
CONNECT YOUR CLIENTS WITH NUTRITIONAL RESOURCES FOR THE KIDS THEY LIVE WITH
Research shows that seniors who live in households with children are at much greater risk of hunger. Fortunately, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) that helps keep kids healthy and fed during the summer months. You can connect your clients who live with children to a local SFSP site in the following ways:
- Text "Food" to 877-877
- Call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3HUNGRY
- Find a local site online here
There’s also time to sign up as an SFSP sponsor. SFSP sponsors can add free meals for kids through federal funding at your existing congregate site to help serve kids during the summer break. This program can result in serving more seniors through extra funding, acquiring larger volunteer bases and new, productive community partnerships. Learn more about becoming an SFSP sponsor here. You can also check out more Summer Meals program resources through the No Kid Hungry Center for Best Practices website here.
PROVIDING QUALITY MEALS FOR DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS – WEBINAR, JUNE 4
As the aging population soars, so does the number of seniors with ethnic diversity. Join this Meals on Wheels America Leadership Academy webinar to learn how senior nutrition programs like yours can serve culturally-familiar foods to both home-delivered and congregate meal clients. We will also discuss how demographic changes in the senior nutrition population are affecting menu planning and how different, innovative approaches can assist in meeting the dietary needs of Hispanic-, African- and Asian-American communities.
IN THIS WEBINAR YOU WILL:
- Identify effective strategies and techniques that you can use to identify and develop recipes and menu items that appeal to diverse populations; and
- Discuss how culturally appropriate meals fit into Older Americans Act requirements.
WEBINAR: Providing Quality Meals for Different Demographic Groups – Webinar, June 4
PRESENTERS: Uche Akobundu, Director of Project Management and Impact at Meals on Wheels America; Luanne Hinkle, Director of Development, Meals-on-Wheels Greater San Diego, Inc.; Suzanne Washington, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels People (Portland, OR); Tom Maier, Food Service Director, Meals on Wheels People (Portland, OR)
WHEN: Thursday, June 4
TIME: 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. EDT
FEE: $25
COMPETENCY: Food Service Knowledge
CONCENTRATION: Nutrition
CREDITS: 1
REGISTER NOW
IMPROVING AGING SERVICES FOR LGBT SENIORS – WEBINAR, JUNE 9
Research proves that LGBT older adults are less likely to access health and social services, making the need to engage them in the community even more important. Register for this upcoming webinar to learn best practices for helping LGBT older adults feel more included and some of the interpersonal skills that you can apply when reaching out and working with this community.
IN THIS WEBINAR YOU WILL:
- Learn about the culture, needs and concerns of LGBT older adults;
- Explore the reasons why LGBT older adults are less likely to access health and social services;
- Identify best practices for helping LGBT older adults to feel more included; and
- Practice the interpersonal skills needed to effectively reach out to, and work with, the LGBT community.
WEBINAR: Improving Aging Services for LGBT Seniors
PRESENTER: Tim Johnston
WHEN: Tuesday, June 9
TIME: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT
REGISTRATION FEE: FREE
REGISTER NOW
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
The Soup Kitchen, FL, 561-239-3173
Jamieson Community Center, IL, 309-221-7279
City of Atlantic City, NJ, 609-347-5290