posted 3/12/2021 in
Press Releases
Our nation’s senior population is growing exponentially, outpacing the resources available to serve vulnerable older adults and putting their health and well-being in jeopardy. Meals on Wheels programs, like Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging’s home-delivered meals, effectively address aging challenges by promoting health and improving the quality of life for at-risk seniors. Through these programs, we have the opportunity to not only keep seniors healthy and independent at home, where they want to be but also save billions in tax dollars by keeping them out of more costly healthcare alternatives.
NEI3A, working with dedicated volunteers, transit agencies, local restaurants, and vendors, delivered 191,729 meals to older Iowans from July to December last year. That is more than double the number of meals we delivered during that same time frame in 2019. These volunteers deliver more than just a nutritious meal to homebound seniors; they also provide a vital lifeline and connection to the community, which are sometimes all it takes to keep these older individuals at home, where they want to be.
Each March, NEI3A works with local elected officials to help bring awareness to the home-delivered meal program and the need for volunteers to help deliver meals. We appreciate the support with this year's campaign! Thank you to the following for participating.
March 9:
Toledo Mayor Brian Sokol and Tama Mayor Doug Ray delivered meals to the Tama/Toledo area. Pictured left to right NEI3A Aging Specialist Deb Peska, Tama Mayor Doug Ray, Toledo Mayor Brian Sokol, NEI3A Regional Director Cara Ferch. Picture courtesy of Allison Graham for the Tama/Toledo News Chronicle.
March 22:
Independence Mayor Bonita Davis - pictured right (Picture courtesy of the Independence Bulletin Journal)
March 23:
Dubuque Mayor Roy Buol (picture courtesy of the Dubuque Telegraph Herald)
Marshalltown Chief of Police Mike Tupper (pictured Chief of Police Mike Tupper and Rose McClure, NEI3A Aging Specialist-Nutrition)
March 24:
Manchester Mayor Milt Kramer (picture left to right Rob Strempke, NEI3A Meal Routh Driver and Mayor Milt Kramer)
March 25:
Cedar Falls Mayor Rob Green
West Union Police Chief Paul Bechtold (pictured left to right NEI3A Aging Specialist Kayla Brincks, volunteer Mark Haines, West Union Police Chief Paul Becthold, and Regional Director Kristie Wiltgen)
March 29:
Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski (pictured left to right NEI3A Aging Specialist Patty Scholtes, NEI3A Regional Director Kristie Wiltgen, Decorah Mayor Lorraine Borowski)