SVCOA kicks off March for Meals campaign
For Immediate Release: March 2, 2022
Media Contact: Courtney Anderson, 802-772-7828
SVCOA kicks off March for Meals campaign
Financial support, volunteer help sought for essential older Vermonter meal programs
RUTLAND, Vt. – Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging has launched its annual March for Meals initiative, a combination fundraising and awareness campaign aimed at generating support for its various nutrition services, namely the Meals on Wheels and community meal programs.
“We’re excited to kick off another March for Meals campaign this year, and are hopeful for a great response from community members and organizations from throughout Bennington and Rutland counties,” said Courtney Anderson, Nutrition Director with SVCOA. “Demand on SVCOA’s Meals on Wheels program and other nutrition services continues to grow due to Vermont’s aging demographics, as well as lingering impacts from COVID-19.”
Held in concert with the 50th Anniversary of Administration for Community Living’s Senior Nutrition Program, and National Nutrition Month, SVCOA’s March for Meals campaign seeks to inspire community donations in support of its nutrition services, recruit new volunteers for the Meals on Wheels program, and create broader public awareness of the range of nutrition supports offered to older Vermonters by SVCOA.
“Our Meals on Wheels and community meal programs are essential to ensuring the nutrition security of so many older Vermonters in our region, and community donations and volunteer support are pillars of these programs,” said Anderson. “Every bit of help is vitally important, and we hope this campaign will reach any individuals or organizations who may be interested in supporting these programs.”
In 2021, in partnership with its contracted meal providers, SVCOA served a total of 186,758 meals to 1,964 older Vermonters, including 177,482 home delivered meals to 1,047 individuals and 9,276 community meals to 917 seniors.
Additionally, SVCOA’s nutrition staff completed 889 hours of home delivered meals and 3SquaresVT assessments for 808 area residents to ensure proper meal allocations and prioritization, as well as group nutrition presentations and counseling by its registered dietician to 859 older Vermonters.
To make a donation to SVCOA’s March for Meals campaign, visit www.svcoa.org/donate, or send by mail to SVCOA, 143 Maple Street, Rutland, VT 05701.
For more information or to sign up to volunteer with SVCOA’s Meals on Wheels program, visit www.svcoa.org/volunteer or call 802-786-5990.
To learn more about all of SVCOA’s supportive nutrition services, visit www.svcoa.org/nutrition-services.
About SVCOA
Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging exists to be a community force in creating and sustaining opportunities for elders and caregivers in our region to help assure that elders are able to maintain maximum independence and quality of life.
For more information about SVCOA, visit www.svcoa.org.
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