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SUBARU LAUNCHES NEW AD CAMPAIGN WITH START OF THE SHARE THE LOVE EVENT

With the 2016 Share the Love Event now in full swing, we’re so excited that more than 240 Member programs in all 50 states have committed to participate in our first Share the Love Revenue Share.

With the start of the Event, Subaru officially launched their Put a Little Love in Your Heart advertising campaign showcasing real stories from real people who have been positively impacted by the Subaru Share the Love program over the past nine years, including the clients of Meals on Wheels. Special thanks goes to Meals on Wheels West in Santa Monica, CA, and Culver Palms Meals on Wheels in Culver City, CA, for connecting us with the stars of our heartwarming Meals on Wheels spots: Donn and Anna, Horace and Jean.

In addition to the creative spots, Subaru orchestrated a nationwide sing-along of Put a Little Love in Your Heart on Good Morning America that aired on Friday morning. Along with the New York Children’s Choir and fellow Share the Love charity partners, Meals on Wheels America was represented by the staff and volunteers of Meals on Wheels Central Texas and Meals on Wheels San Diego County. Watch it now:

We are looking forward to a successful Share the Love Event for the Meals on Wheels network and we can't wait to see the outcome of all your hard work! Remember that everything you need to participate can be found at www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/sharethelovetoolkit.

GOT MARCH FOR MEALS ON YOUR MIND?
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL TOWN HALL ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9

We know that many of you are already planning your March fundraisers, events and partnerships! We’re excited to officially kick off the 2017 March for Meals planning season with a Virtual Town Hall webinar covering everything you need to know about our 15th annual nationwide Meals on Wheels awareness campaign. Join President and CEO Ellie Hollander on Friday, December 9 at 3:30 p.m. EST to hear what’s coming.

REGISTER TODAY

GET MORE “AMERICA, LET’S DO LUNCH™” TV, RADIO & PRINT PSAs IN YOUR AREA!

Want to spread the word about “America, Let’s Do Lunch” in your community and boost your volunteer recruitment efforts? Increasing the Ad Council campaign’s PSA placements in local TV, radio and print media can do just the trick. That’s why we’ve recorded another installment in our series of on-demand webinars in support of the Ad Council campaign. Watch “How to Secure TV, Radio & Print PSAs in Your Market” today to learn how to make it happen. Just click here to watch the 11-minute webinar.

More PSAs playing in your market will not only support volunteer recruitment for your program, it can raise your organization’s profile through increased name recognition and, in turn, draw additional financial support.

So, don’t wait: watch the webinar here today.

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO JOIN #SENIORSCANTWAIT

Congress has between now and December 9 to reach a final Fiscal Year 2017 funding agreement or will be forced to pass another short-term Continuing Resolution to keep the government funded into the next year when a new Congress and new Administration takes control. Earlier this year, the House Committee on Appropriations approved a funding increase of $13.8 million for Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Programs, and it is now up to us to use our collective voices to ensure that level of funding is preserved in any final funding bill.

While Congress navigates this critical period, let’s come together to raise awareness about the growing Meals on Wheels waiting lists nationwide, which are largely a result of federal funding failing to keep pace with the need, and tell them #SeniorsCantWait.

#SeniorsCantWait thousands

HOW TO TAKE ACTION

Join the conversation on social media using the resources in the #SeniorsCantWait Member Toolkit. There are sample social media images, posts and best practices for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to support your program as you engage with Members of Congress and supporters.
Email or call your Members of Congress and urge them to support the nearly $14 million funding increase for OAA Nutrition Programs. So far, 164 Members of Congress in 35 states have been contacted through this campaign – and we should continue to ensure these numbers grow!

The timing to kick #SeniorsCantWait into high gear is now. So, together, we can deliver!

HELP PAINT THE PICTURE OF WAITING LISTS NATIONWIDE

So far, more than 50 Meals on Wheels America Member programs have submitted their waiting list information through this campaign, reporting an average waiting list of 317 seniors. And, more than 60% of those programs indicated that their waiting list had changed from one year ago.

Betsy Cox, of VNA Meals on Wheels in Dallas, TX reported an increase from 3,000 seniors waiting for services in 2015 to 6,000 this year, saying “It's so sad that there is so much need, but not enough government funding. We have the infrastructure to cook and deliver those meals in our kitchen.”

While we’ve heard from many of your colleagues – we want to hear all of you. It’s important for us to be able to provide Members of Congress with accurate and compelling national waiting list data, as well. Please submit your waiting list data through this survey – it takes less than five minutes – and we’ll also create customized social media images for your program to share your information to spark action in your communities.

QUESTIONS?

If you want to know more about the #SeniorsCantWait campaign, or if you requested customized images and haven't received them, reach out to Crystal Espie, Public Policy Manager at crystal@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Blair Senior Services, Inc., Altoona, PA
Caldwell Parish Council on Aging, Inc., Columbia, LA
Chickamauga Senior Center, Walker County, Chickamauga, GA
Experience, Inc. Area Agency on Aging, Warren, PA
Fannin Senior Center, Blue Ridge, GA
Five Cities Meals On Wheels, Inc., Pismo Beach, CA
Gilmer County Senior Center, Ellijay, GA
Greater Erie Community Action Committee, Erie, PA
LaFayette Senior Center, Walker County, LaFayette, GA
Murray County Meals on Wheels, Chatsworth, GA
Pickens County Senior Center, Jasper, GA
Rockdale Senior Services, Conyers, GA
Rose Centers for Aging Well, Cleveland, OH
Russian American Community Services Association of San Francisco, Inc., San Francisco, CA
Tri-County Community Action Agency, Inc., LaGrange, KY
Whitfeld County Meals on Wheels, Dalton, GA

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS

HELP YOUR SENIOR CLIENTS NAVIGATE MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT

For your clients 65+, the Medicare open enrollment period – ending December 7 – is an important time for them to either enroll in Medicare or reevaluate their plan. Because healthcare is constantly in flux, there’s always the possibility that changes will be made to Medicare plans that affect coverage – out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, prescription drug costs and the doctor, hospital and pharmacy networks can all change year over year. Fortunately, there are some simple ways your program can support your seniors in this process.

1) BE A SOURCE FOR HELPFUL INFORMATION

During the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, seniors 65+ have the opportunity to add or switch plans. They can switch to a new Medicare Advantage Plan from Original Medicare (and vice versa). They can also add or drop the Part D prescription drug coverage plan or switch to a new Part D prescription plan. For those with existing coverage, reevaluating Medicare plans during open enrollment can be beneficial because it’s a potential opportunity to get better prescription drug coverage, save money by switching plans or find a higher quality plan.

Medicare.gov has an informative guide on Medicare coverage choices that you can read or share with your senior clients.

2) CONNECT LOW-INCOME CLIENTS WITH EXTRA HELP

At any point in the year – not just open enrollment – low-income clients can also apply for Extra Help from Medicare to pay the costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage. To qualify, annual income must be limited to $17,820 for an individual ($24,030 for a married couple) and up to $13,640 in resources ($27,250 for a married couple).

There are also other special circumstances where someone may qualify. You can learn more about Extra Help here and visit the application page here.

3) UNDERSTAND THE HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE

The Healthcare Insurance Marketplace is a key component of the Affordable Care Act, but what does it have to do with Medicare? Read this guide to learn more about how they function together. And if you have any clients under 65, it’s important to note that the open enrollment period for the Healthcare Insurance Marketplace goes through January 31, 2017. Go to healthcare.gov for more information.

Medicare coverage is a key support mechanism for our nation’s seniors that goes hand in hand with Meals on Wheels services – it’s important that we educate ourselves as we work to integrate into the healthcare marketplace.

2016 OLDER AMERICANS KEY INDICATORS REPORT OF WELL-BEING RECENTLY RELEASED

OAKeyIndicator

Every four years, the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics releases a comprehensive report on the key indicators of well-being for older adults in America. The recently-released 2016 report provides the latest data on the 41 key indicators, which were selected by the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics to portray aspects of the lives of American seniors and their families.

The six main subject areas it covers include:

Population
Economics
Health status
Health risks and behaviors
Health care
Environment

More indicators are included this year on social security beneficiaries, dementia, long-term care providers, transportation and informal caregiving, making this year’s findings even more valuable.

ACCESS THE REPORT HERE

The Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics was established in 1986 to improve the quality of Federal data on aging and to inform the public, policy makers and researchers about the important trends in play.

#GIVINGTUESDAY 2016

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that kicks off the charitable holiday season on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving – November 29, 2016. Over 40,000 organizations in 71 countries have joined this movement and range from small business and nonprofits to major corporations. In doing so, they’ve generated over 500% increases in online charitable donations.

You too can take advantage of this generous day by joining the movement yourself here. All official charities are welcome to take part! You can also learn how to prepare and attract donors accordingly by reading this Causevox article here.

ASSOCIATION UPDATES

hopkins

ANOTHER IMPORTANT MILESTONE ON THE PAY FOR SUCCESS JOURNEY

Just last week, we proudly announced that Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center has officially signed on to participate in our exploratory initiative with Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland aimed to help vulnerable seniors in the Baltimore area remain independent at home while reducing their need for high-cost healthcare services.

By leveraging resources from a private third-party investor in an emerging model known as Pay for Success (also known as Social Impact Bonds), the project plans to scale Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland’s existing services to hundreds of additional seniors in the Baltimore area over the next several years. A rigorous assessment of the impact on both health outcomes and healthcare cost savings will be conducted by an independent evaluator.

Securing Johns Hopkins Bayview as a partner in this initiative marks a crucial milestone in this process and gets us one step closer to our goal of continuing to build the evidence base for Meals on Wheels services and to create the basis for replicating the approach with other Meals on Wheels programs across the country.

“We are keenly aware of how valuable it is for us to be able to stay in touch with our patients after they have left the hospital and to know they are receiving services and resources that can help them maintain their health and independence,” said Richard G. Bennett, M.D., President, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center. “We are enthusiastic about this opportunity to explore a collaboration with Meals on Wheels that could help us strengthen the connections with our patients once they have returned home.”

As we’ve reported in recent issues of Wheels in Motion, Meals on Wheels America was awarded a grant from the Nonprofit Finance Fund to structure the first Pay for Success project for senior services and will work alongside Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland and Johns Hopkins Bayview to develop, design and carry out the project. Quantified Ventures, an experienced Social Impact Bond intermediary, will serve as the Transaction Coordinator for this project.

We will continue to bring you along as we pursue the first-of-its-kind Pay for Success transaction for senior services.

AS A CAREGIVER HERSELF, ELLIE SPEAKS OUT ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS ON HUFFINGTON POST

With more than 40 million Americans preparing to care for an elder in the United States, Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander took the opportunity to speak out to fellow caregivers in her most recent Huffington Post blog.

Read it now: You have options and keeping your loved one at home, where they want to be, might be the best one.

MEMBER OPPORTUNITIES & BENEFITS

THE MEALS ON WHEELS PRINT & DESIGN SHOP CAN GET YOU CUSTOMIZED AD COUNCIL CAMPAIGN MATERIALS AND MUCH MORE!

Make the most of our partnership with the Print & Design Shop by taking a look at all the shop has to offer. This resource houses a full suite of “America, Let’s Do Lunch™^” customizable, downloadable and printable materials that you can use to make the campaign your own. These include social media images, printed posters, flyers and more. Just sign the "America, Let’s Do Lunch" license agreement, to gain access now.

Plus, if you have adopted the Meals on Wheels brand, you will find affordable, high-quality business cards, branded stationery, van wraps and signage to support your new brand.

Don’t yet have an account with the Print & Design Shop or want to order items not currently listed in the shop? Email Jim Heim at jim@masterprint.com for info and quotes. Already have your account? Log on here.

PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP RECORDINGS AND RESOURCES NOW AVAILABLE!

The National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging, hosted by Meals on Wheels America, has recently made available archived audio/video from the latest 2016 Pre-Conference Intensive Workshop: Healthcare Integration 101: Payers, Players and Opportunities. The goal of this Workshop was to explore and discuss opportunities for the integration of home and community-based services (HCBS) into local healthcare delivery systems.

Available online at the National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging, this timely and relevant Workshop is broken down into digestible topics so you are able to listen to each whenever you are ready. Recorded presentations include:

Healthcare Integration 101: Payers, Players and Opportunities by Sharon Williams, CEO of Williams Jaxon, Consulting, LLC

Healthcare Utilization and Research to Support Your Value Proposition by Brenda Schmitthenner, MPA, Program Officer, Successful Aging, Gary and Mary West Foundation
Sharing Contracting Experience:Hospital to Home Care Transitions by Colleen Keller, RD, Community Nutrition Specialist, Senior Connections, VA
Five Important Points when Building Your Business Capacity in the Health Care Arena by Lisa LaBonte, Senior Nutrition Services Director, New Opportunities, Inc., CT
Healthcare Champions and Community Partners by Thessia Everhart, Davidson County Senior Services Director, NC

Get started today at www.nutritionandaging.org/2016-pre-conference-workshop. You can also access the Pre-Conference Workshop recordings for 2014 (here) and for 2015 (here).

MEMBER DISCOUNT PROGRAM MUST-HAVES

As you may already know, the Meals on Wheels America Member Discount Program allows you to serve your clients better while receiving significant Member-only discounts. This month we’re featuring two discount program partners just in time for you to stock up on shelf-stable items for winter. Contact Starkist and Diversified Foods today!

STARKIST

Starkist is offering special pricing for their 2.6 ounce tuna pouches – perfect for emergency kits, blizzard boxes and more! With a three-year shelf life and over 16 grams of protein per serving, it makes sense to stock up now! All you have to do is contact the Starkist Regional Manager Michelle Marin at michelle.marin@starkist.com and mention you’re a Member of Meals on Wheels America.

DIVERSIFIED FOODS

Diversified Foods provides top brands like Hershey, TruMoo and Dairy Pure shelf stable milks without any refrigeration necessary. With a shelf life of 12 months, these nutritious and convenient products will come in handy all year long. In order to check out special Meals on Wheels America pricing and the latest offerings, contact Su Shaffer at sushaffer@diversifiedfoods.com.

Questions about these products or the Member Discount Program in general? Contact our Business Services Manager Steven Skelton at steven@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

WHAT'S NEW IN THE NRCNA ONLINE LIBRARY – WEBINAR, NOVEMBER 30

The National Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging (NRCNA), hosted by Meals on Wheels America, is a one-stop shop for all of the resources your program can use, ranging from business acumen to social entrepreneurship. We encourage you to register for this free webinar taking place on Wednesday, November 30 to learn about some of the newly-added resources and how best to navigate www.nutritionandaging.org.

In this webinar you will:

Become familiar with the latest resources available on the NRCNA online portal;
Learn how to use simple search techniques to find what you need and navigate throughout the site; and
See what resources can help your program the most.

Webinar: What's New in the NRCNA Online Library?
Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
Presenter: Uche Akobundu, Director of Project Management and Impact, Meals on Wheels America
Fee: FREE
REGISTER NOW

DEVELOPING AN ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY FOR BOARDS, VOLUNTEERS AND NON-FUNDRAISING STAFF – WEBINAR, DECEMBER 1

What does the term “culture of philanthropy” mean to you and your organization? The level in which everyone in an organization understands and embraces fundraising and philanthropy has a direct impact on increased giving and organizational effectiveness. By educating board members, staff, volunteers and even clients, you demystify the fundraising process and allow for an atmosphere of greater collaboration and trust. Join presenter Barbara Tesner, CFRE, of BLT Philanthropy Services, on Thursday, December 1 at 3:30 p.m. EST for this Leadership Academy webinar to learn how you can incorporate a culture of philanthropy as she walks you through the elements of N.I.C.E. (Navigate, Involve, Celebrate and Educate).

In this webinar, you will:

Receive an overview of the core values associated with an "organizational culture of philanthropy;”
Hear how this concept can be applied to your program, depending on development structure, strategic plan and leadership; and
Learn examples of proven techniques that will help you set the right conditions to create buy-in, ownership and commitment to this shared value.

Webinar: Developing an Organizational Culture of Philanthropy for Boards, Volunteers and Non-Fundraising Staff
Date: Thursday, December 1, 2016
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST
Presenter: Barbara Tesner, BLT Philanthropy Services
Competency: Organizational Planning
Track: Management
Credits: 1
Fee: $25
REGISTER NOW

JOIN THE DISCUSSION

Did you know that we have an online discussion group where Members just like you are actively collaborating with their peers on crucial topics? Contribute and learn about these topics by joining our LinkedIn Discussion Group here. A few of the most recent conversations in the group include:

Best practices and products for transporting various meals;
How and when to recognize donors; and
Recommendations on emergency preparedness for inclement weather conditions.