subject: Alleviating Hunger of the Elderly in the USA [print this page] Alleviating Hunger of the Elderly in the USA
With an army of 1.2 million volunteers delivering over one million meals to needy senior citizens per day, the Meals on Wheels Association of America(MOWAA)plays an invaluable role in fighting US hunger. Composed of and representing nutrition schemes for the elderly in all 50 American states and US territories, over 5000 Nutrition Programs for Seniors fall under MOWAA. The oldest and largest organisation in the United States, MOWAA pledges to do what it takes to end senior hunger' by 2020, with the muscle of community service.
After the harrowing effects of the Blitz that destroyed Britain in World War II, a group of women in the Women's Volunteer Service for Civil Defence (WVSD) began delivering nourishment to servicemen in canteens. Enter the concept of Meals on Wheels. By the 1950s an official Meals on Wheels (MOW) program in America, serving Philadelphia shut-ins,was in action, with nutritious meals delivered to thedisadvantagedand house-bound.
The growth of MOW in the United States has bred a vast network of professionals and volunteers who give of their time to serve healthy meals to hungry seniors.Since 1976volunteers have been the backbone of Mealson Wheels in the United States and have helped to scuplt MOWAA into an organisation with the greatest volunteer body in the nation.
The result of this manpower, care and hard work is that MWO has a far-reaching network and is able to extend the miracle of aid countrywide. Under the Meals on Wheels Association of America, meals are served at public centres for older members from old age homes and hospices to churches and in the homes of aged individuals whose mobility is limited.
South Africa, as a piece in MOW's global puzzle, is proud to announce its affiliation with the work of MOWAA. South Africa is host to its own MOW institution which, like MOWAA, aims to deliver healthy meals to the elderly. A non-profit, humanitarian initiative,MOW South Africahas a nationwide network of volunteers committed to providing the next meal.
Six million seniors in America are currently under the threat of hunger. And MOWAA aims to recruit six million volunteers dedicated to their vision, to end senior hunger by 2020. The goal is not small. The task ahead is daunting. But the Meals on Wheels Association of America has earned tangible successes, is driven by a sizable force of volunteers, and is guided by first-rate leadership.With these pillars of strength, the promise of change is real.
About Meals on Wheels for the Aged
Meals on Wheels Community Services is registered with the South African government as a non-profit organisation with reg. no. 070-786. Visit http://www.mow.co.za for more.
