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IMPORTANT 2017 MARCH FOR MEALS ANNOUNCEMENTS

On Friday, December 9, we officially kicked off the 2017 March for Meals planning season with a Virtual Town Hall webinar covering everything you need to know about our 15th annual celebration. Most notably, we reiterated that there will not be grant awards associated with the 2017 March for Meals due to the strategic change in the way we will distribute the funding raised during the Subaru Share the Love Event moving forward. The good news is – and we hope you'll agree – that there are endless benefits of participating in this national awareness campaign that go well beyond the March for Meals awards.  

In case you missed hearing President and CEO Ellie Hollander and Vice President of Communications Jenny Bertolette discuss this important update and more, simply watch the 30-minute recording or download the presentation slides below. 

WATCH THE RECORDING              DOWNLOAD THE SLIDES 

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SUBARU SHARE THE LOVE EVENT CONTINUES TO PROPEL MEALS ON WHEELS MOVEMENT

There’s a good chance you’ve seen Donn, a real Meals on Wheels client served by Meals on Wheels West in Santa Monica, CA, and Anna, one of that program’s caring and committed volunteers, in this year’s  heartwarming Subaru Share the Love Event TV commercials. Whether or not you’re one of the 245 Meals on Wheels America Member programs participating in this year’s revenue share, these national commercials produced by Subaru of America are extremely valuable for the Meals on Wheels movement at large. They truly capture the “more than just a meal” offering that the entire network provides, effectively educating America on the value of Meals on Wheels.

Meet Jean and Horace, too!

By the end of this year's Event, Subaru hopes to exceed a grand total of $90 million donated to participating charities since the creation of Share the Love and we’re excited to distribute the revenue that Meals on Wheels America earns to each participating Member in the New Year.

ACT NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!

Even if your program was unable to participate, there’s still time to remind everyone you know to support the network by selecting Meals on Wheels America as a charity of choice if leasing or purchasing a new Subaru before January 3, 2017. Feel free to download our co-branded flyer to help spread the word here.

Meals on Wheels America hopes you’ll continue to Put a Little Love in Your Heart. Check out our talented and passionate staff in our very own Share the Love sing-along:

For more information on Member participation, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/sharethelovetoolkit.

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MORE “DOING LUNCH” COMING YOUR WAY

JANUARY ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTED

The momentum for the Meals on Wheels “America, Let’s Do Lunch™” campaign continues to grow around the country as we’ve already sent nearly 20,000 volunteer prospects to local programs like yours. And, in January, the campaign will be highlighted even more by full-page ads in two national magazines to support your local efforts. Check out the January issues of Real Simple and Essence to see how our wonderful seniors and the Ad Council campaign will be kicking off the New Year!

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NEW NATIONAL CAMPAIGN AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR SENIOR ISOLATION

In November, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and the AARP Foundation launched a national campaign in an effort to raise awareness of the growing problem of social isolation and loneliness in older Americans. To help seniors and caregivers mitigate the risks of isolation and loneliness, n4a has created a helpful brochure that outlines risk factors and steps seniors should take to stay “ahead of the connection curve.”  

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VOLUNTEER SCREENING: PRESENT FINDINGS AND FUTURE EXPECTATIONS

 

WHAT TO EXPECT WITH THE NEW CONGRESS

January 3 marks the official start of the 115th Congress and there’s no doubt that your advocacy efforts will be more important than ever. A new Congress will likely bring about varying domestic priorities and discussions about reforming – and even cutting – the social safety net on which so many vulnerable seniors rely. We must work together to educate new and current Members of Congress about the importance of Meals on Wheels programs and the significant return on investment your programs provide to seniors, the community, taxpayers and the nation as a whole.

Congressional Leadership, Committee Chairmen and Ranking Members, along with Committee membership will soon be finalized, and they will play a critical role in decision-making. We’ve put together a list of key leaders in Congress who you should focus on in your advocacy. We’ll also provide a complete 115th Congress Key Committee Guide once that information has been determined and released.

 
With the Continuing Resolution set to extend current funding levels through April 2017, it’s important to stay in regular contact with your Members of Congress and/or their staff so that this successful public-private partnership and your concerns about funding stay top of mind. We must ride the momentum gained during our #SeniorsCantWait campaign and remain vigilant in our efforts to protect your programs and the seniors you serve.

Look out for the Advocacy Team’s Washington Updates in the coming weeks for the latest information, and be sure to follow @NoSeniorHungry for the latest on legislative and advocacy updates.

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NEW SITE DEDICATED TO PROMISING PRACTICES THAT ADDRESS POLICY MYTHS

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HASBRO DELIVERING JOY FOR ALL – INCLUDING A SPECIAL DISCOUNT!

Since July, we’ve been working with Hasbro, Inc. to connect their JOY FOR ALL Companion Pets to lonely seniors who could use a furry friend. Not only has Hasbro generously given $100,000 to Meals on Wheels America to help address senior isolation, they’ve donated these life-like robotic cats and dogs to several Member programs during events held across the country.

With realistic fur and pet-like sounds – and sensors that respond to petting and hugs with familiar pet-like actions – Companion Pets deliver a soothing, joyful experience that inspire smiles, laughter and fond memories for people of all ages.

“We’re thrilled to be supporting Meals on Wheels America in their efforts to reduce senior isolation, loneliness and hunger, while also improving their quality of life,” said Ted Fischer, Vice President of Business Development at Hasbro. “Hasbro’s JOY FOR ALL brand shares very similar values with Meals on Wheels – we’re committed to help bring joy, comfort and companionship to elder loved ones with the products we develop.”

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START 2017 WITH A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BRAND

Scores of Meals on Wheels America Members across the country have adopted the national Meals on Wheels brand, tying their efforts to a powerful movement. And many of these programs are reporting amazing results: increased name recognition and awareness, spikes in fundraising and more. In less than two years, 85 senior nutrition programs adopted the Meals on Wheels brand.

Whether you’re a small, medium or large program, independent or part of an umbrella organization, adopting the Meals on Wheels brand will raise your program’s profile and link your work to national-level efforts like the “America, Let’s Do Lunch™” campaign. Plus, with free design and support for stationery, websites, vehicle wraps, and the like, adopting the Meals on Wheels brand is easier than you might think. To learn how your program can do so and enjoy its many benefits, watch a short webinar on the topic here.

Don’t wait; make 2017 your program’s best year yet by adopting the Meals on Wheels brand today! Questions? Contact brand@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

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NCOA EXPANDS TOOLS FOR SENIORS TO CONNECT TO SNAP

NCOA also recently announced that with continued funding from the Walmart Foundation, they were able to award community-based organizations to assist seniors in applying for and enrolling in SNAP. See the grantees and check back on this site for upcoming grant opportunities that you can apply for here.

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NEW CAMPAIGN SEEKS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) has successfully launched an awareness campaign dedicated to spreading the word about something we all know way too well – that volunteering provides several benefits. “Doing Good is Good for You: Volunteer!” received extremely positive responses and has evolved into a toolkit that includes even more helpful resources.

​ACCESS THE TOOLKIT’S MATERIALS HERE

n4a is also interested in learning how you plan on using the materials within the toolkit. Have any great ideas? Contact Star Johnson at sjohnson@n4a.org.

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