Huge Donation of Royal Canin Dog Food Benefits Our Annual Pet Food Drive

Our annual pet food drive received an unprecedented boost in December when Royal Canin, a leading worldwide manufacturer of premium pet food products, donated 36 pallets of dog food to the campaign.

It is the second consecutive year that Royal Canin chose to support the agency’s efforts. The donation was again facilitated by the Banfield Charitable Trust, which promotes the annual "Season of Suppers" pet food drive conducted each holiday season by MOWSW and other meal delivery programs nationwide.

The donated food, along with other contributions from Stark and Wayne counties received this holiday season, will be distributed to ourclients in need of food for their pets.

Because of our past success with "Season of Suppers" -- more than 10 tons of food were collected and distributed in the two-county area over the past four years --Royal Canin decided to significantly increase its support this year.

The shipment arrived in December and totaled more than 26,000 pounds. CEO Teresa Barry and board member Bill DeRodes are pictured next to the shipment after it arrived in December.

Royal Canin, based in St. Charles, Mo., is a store brand carried by Petsmart, which houses Banfield, The Pet Hospital locations inside many of its stores.

We're grateful to the Banfield Foundation, and Royal Canin, for their remarkable support.

Happy Holidays from Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties

'Tis the season, when we reflect on blessings and extend our gratitude to others.

From all of us at Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties, we want to thank our friends who join with us to make it possible to provide for our homebound neighbors who depend on us for nutritious meals throughout the year.

We're grateful to our volunteers, and to our financial supporters, for giving of their time and treasure to make our work possible.

We appreciate our clients and are happy to provide peace of mind for them, and their families.

We wish every one a happy, healthy and prosperous holiday season and new year.

Doris Day Animal Foundation Lauds Agency's 'Terrific Work,' Provides Grant for Pet Food Drive

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties has received a $3,500 grant from the Doris Day Animal Foundation (DDAF) in support of the agency’s annual pet food collection drive.

The grant will underwrite the purchase of dog and cat food, which will in turn be delivered to our clients who own pets.

“When we learned about Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties’ annual pet food collection drive, we knew we had to help,” Miss Day said from her home in Carmel, Calif. “This is terrific work and fits well with DDAF’s focus on assisting seniors and their companion animals.”

“Miss Day’s compassion for the welfare of animals is legendary,” said Teresa Barry, CEO of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties. “We are honored to partner with her and the foundation and grateful for their generosity toward our clients and their pets.”

The local collection effort has rapidly become one of the most successful pet food drives in the country. The effort netted more than three tons of food in 2009, and this year’s drive is on pace to far exceed that total.

Donations of pet food can be dropped off through Dec. 31 at participating retail locations in Stark and Wayne counties (click here for a list), or any time at our office building, located at 2363 Nave Street S.E. in Massillon (click here for a map).

Our thanks to Miss Day and the Foundation for their generous support!

Dine at Applebee's in Massillon on Dec. 16 and Support Meals On Wheels!

Here's a great way you can enjoy going out to eat and support Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties at the same time.

Applebee's restaurant in the Massillon Marketplace has teamed with us to hold a "Dining To Donate" event on Thursday, Dec. 16. From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., for anyone who brings in a copy of the Meals On Wheels fundraising flier (shown) when they dine at Applebee's, the restaurant will donate 15 percent of the guest's check to Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties.

The promotion is good for dining in, or for their "Carside to Go" service, as well.

What could be easier? It's right during the holiday shopping season, and the Massillon Marketplace features a variety of stores to make your gift selection a breeze.

Just click on the image of the flier shown for a larger version, print that, and bring it with you on the 16th. And please spread the word; tell your family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and anyone you think would be willing to support Meals On Wheels.

Applebee's is located at 32 Massillon Marketplace Drive SW, near the intersection of routes 30 and 21, across from WalMart and Lowe's in Massillon. We hope you'll join us for the "Dining To Donate" event on Dec. 16.

Tree Decorating Ushers In the Holiday Season

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties staff got into the holiday spirit Wednesday at the annual tree lighting and decorating party in the lobby of our office building.

Staff members helped hang ornaments and string beads on the tree, and enjoyed sausage, English muffins and eggs, plus coffee cake, all provided by our commissary.

It's an annual tradition that ushers in the holidays at Meals On Wheels. The tree helps brighten the entry to the building and is enjoyed by our volunteers and guests, as well as our commissary and office staff.

Our thanks to the recently opened Big Lots store in the Massillon Marketplace, which donated the 7-foot, pre-lit tree that will be enjoyed by our volunteers and staff for years to come.

It Starts With Fettucini Alfredo with Chicken, and Just Gets Better: Our December Menu

December is here, and so is our menu for the month. Just click on the image below to see a larger view.

MOWSW Awarded Grant From Mount Union -- Thanks For Your Votes!

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties received a $1,000 grant from the "Pay It Forward" program promoted by the students of the Developmental Economics class at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio.

Tom Delamater, public relations administrator (left in photo), attended the ceremony on behalf of the agency. The presentation took place in the Alumni Room of the Hoover-Price Campus Center on Sunday, November 21.

Dr. Martin Horning, class professor (with Tom in the photo), presented the award. Other non-profits receiving awards were Feed My Sheep Ministries of Alliance and The Workshops Inc. of Canton.

Students were divided into groups and asked to select a non-profit organization to feature. Each group produced a video as part of their presentation. Videos were posted on the Internet, and online voting was part of the criteria for which organizations were selected.

The students who worked on the award-winning Meals On Wheels presentation were Brianna Allison, Mina Arai, Richard Brownfield, Mike Ciszewski and John Comella. They visited the agency and interviewed CEO Teresa Barry for their video.

Our thanks to the students, the university, and everyone who voted for us! We appreciate the interest and support, and will put the grant to good use.

Our Annual Pet Food Collection Drive Is Underway!

Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties has launched our fifth annual pet food collection drive, which solicits donations of pet food from area companies, organizations and individuals. The pet food is then provided to Meals on Wheels clients for their pets.

“People get excited every year when we start our collection drive,” said CEO Teresa Barry. “They love the idea of helping people and their pets during the holidays, and this gives them the perfect opportunity to do both.”

Collection bins are available at:
• Banfield, The Pet Hospital, inside Petsmart on Dressler Rd. in North Canton
• Banfield, The Pet Hospital, inside Petsmart on Lincoln Way East in Massillon
• PBS Animal Health, 2780 Richville Dr. S.E., Massillon
• PBS Animal Health, 3188 Lincoln Way E., Wooster
• Rural King, 3541 Lincoln Way E., Wooster
• Surbey Feed & Supply, 9 Canal St. W., Navarre
• Tractor Supply, 4020 Erie Ave. S.W., Massillon
• Belloni Foods, 258 S. Wabash Ave., Brewster
• Thorne’s supermarket, 1400 E. State St., Alliance
• Thorne’s supermarket, 653 S. Union Ave., Alliance

Donations of dog or cat food may also be dropped off Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at our office building, located at 2363 Nave St. S.E. in Massillon.

We collected more than 14,000 pounds of pet food over the past four years. The pet food drive, which runs through Dec. 31, is part of the “Season of Suppers” campaign, sponsored in part by the Banfield Charitable Trust of Portland, Ore.

Questions? Call us at 330-832-7220.

Vote For Us - Your Vote Could Help Us Receive a Grant!

A group of students from the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, recently visited our agency to interview CEO Teresa Barry and videotape some of the work done at our administrative office building.

The students used the footage as part of a project for their Service Learning class. Groups in the class selected a non-profit organization to highlight. The videos are posted online.

A link to the project's web page can be found at http://www.mountunion.edu/pay-it-forward-1. To help Meals On Wheels, click on any "Vote Now" link and vote for our project. Later this month, the non-profit organization receiving the most votes will receive a small grant.

There is a link to the video they did about us. You can also view it below:


Meals On Wheels EC 375
Uploaded by UMUJohnC. - College experience videos.

More Than Turkey & Dressing On Our November Menu!

Even with Thanksgiving on the horizon, there's plenty more than just turkey on our November menu. Click on the image below for a larger view:

New Staff Members at Our Agency Office

We recently welcomed two new staff members at Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties.

Linda Spielman has joined the agency as Volunteer Coordinator. She is responsible for recruiting and scheduling volunteers who deliver meals to each of the 21 distribution locations, and to clients’ homes. Before joining Meals On Wheels, Linda worked in vendor management at Serva, Inc., in Independence. Prior to that she was a shift supervisor and youth coordinator at Hall of Fame Lanes in Canton. She has two grown children and lives in Jackson Township.

Darlene Leeder is the agency’s Secretary/Receptionist. She comes to Meals On Wheels from Business Success Enterprises in Wooster where she worked as a secretary. Before that Darlene held the position of accounting clerk at Bridgeview Customs Brokers in Canada. She lives in Apple Creek with her husband Mike and their children.

We're happy to welcome Linda and Darlene to our team!

Uncork Some Dollars for Meals On Wheels

Count Gallo Family Vineyards among the respected brands and companies that are working with Meals On Wheels to help feed Americans in need.

For each Gallo Family Vineyards cork collected between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, 2010, Gallo Family Vineyards will donate $5 to assist the Meals On Wheels Association of America in its hunger relief efforts.

Collect and mail corks to:
Gallo Family Vineyards
Meals On Wheels Donation
P.O. Box 1154
Grand Rapids, MN 55745-1154

Please use a padded or bubble envelope or turf-pak to mail cork(s) with sufficient First Class postage. Packages must be postmarked between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, 2010, and received by Jan. 10, 2011.

For more information about the promotion, visit http://www.everycorkcounts.com/.

Annual Coordinators Meeting in Massillon

The coordinators from our 21 nutrition sites in Stark and Wayne counties converged on our administrative office building for their annual staff meeting on Oct. 21.

Nora Logsdon, program manager and dietitian, chaired the meeting, which takes place each year and covers various policies and procedures necessary to operating the sites successfully.

The coordinators oversee the distribution of meals from outlying sites to our clients. Food is prepared in our commissary in Massillon and then delivered by truck to the sites, where the coordinators and their assistants prepare the individual meals for daily delivery.

Their role is an important one, and the staff meeting is one of the ways that the agency communicates essential information to the coordinators, ensuring a smooth operation at our sites in the two-county area.

Buy a Battery or Tires from a Bridgestone Retailer and Help Meals On Wheels

Now through December 31, Bridgestone Retail Operations has generously pledged to donate to Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) a portion of the proceeds of every battery sold in its over 2,000 retail locations.

These stores include Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, ExpertTire and Wheel Works. Bridgestone has also pledged to give $1 to MOWAA for every Bridgestone Potenza GO19 Grid tire and every Potenza RE960AS Pole Position tire sold through November 30.

Bridgestone’s 2010 fall fundraiser is not their first effort to help end senior hunger, however. MOWAA’s partnership with Bridgestone began in 2009, and since then has generated several other collaborative initiatives, such as “PartnersPlus,” an automobile servicing discount plan for MOWAA Member programs, employees and volunteers. Many Bridgestone employees also serve MOWAA by dedicating their time as volunteers to local Meals On Wheels programs across the United States.

How can you help? If you, a friend or family member is looking for a new, high-quality car battery or a set of first-rate tires, contact your local Bridgestone retail location. Just click on one of the above links to find the location nearest you.

With your support we can drive away senior hunger by the year 2020.

Here's the WKYC-TV Story Featuring CEO Teresa Barry

WKYC-TV in Cleveland aired the report Wednesday night on the impact retiring baby boomers will have on government programs, social services and health care over the next 20 to 25 years.

Eric Mansfield spoke to CEO Teresa Barry, who is featured in the report. He also interviewed Dr. Harvey Sterns, psychology professor and director of the Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology at the University of Akron, who has been tracking trends with the baby boomer generation.

"Just feeding those new seniors who got hurt by the economy is a real challenge not going away," Mansfield said.

Click below to view the report. You can also access it at wkyc.com.

WKYC Story on Aging Baby Boomers to Feature CEO Teresa Barry

Eric Mansfield, reporter and 7 p.m. anchor for WKYC-Channel 3, the NBC affiliate in Cleveland, visited Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties this morning in preparation for a story scheduled for the evening's newscasts.

Eric interviewed CEO Teresa Barry for a story on the aging baby boomer generation and how the number of boomers reaching retirement age over the next two decades will affect government entitlement programs, along with social service agencies like Meals On Wheels.

Eric's story was prompted, in part, by Terri's op-ed column in the Canton Repository in June. He also taped b-roll shots of Meals On Wheels volunteers and staff as they went about their duties during the morning.

The story was scheduled to air on Channel 3's evening news and be posted on the station's website, wkyc.com.

Here's the Fall Edition of Our Volunteer Bulletin

The latest issue of our volunteer bulletin has been published. Click on the image below to read the bulletin.

Swiss Steak...Fettucini Alfredo...Wild Rice Soup...Sweet & Sour Pork...The October Menu Is Tantalizing!

The October menu is out, and if you've been thinking of signing up for home delivery, or arranging it for a friend or loved one -- what are you waiting for? Those are just some of the delicious dishes coming up this month!

Click on the image below for a larger view. The menu is also available on our website, http://www.mow-starkwayne.org/.

Your Company Can Volunteer: The Adopt-A-Route Program

Businesses and organizations large and small in Stark and Wayne counties have discovered that Meals On Wheels is the perfect volunteer opportunity for their employees. We provide about 2,000 meals a day, Monday through Friday, with volunteer drivers covering more than 60 routes from 20 sites.

Through our ‘Adopt a Route’ program, your business or organization can make a difference for homebound people throughout the region. You simply select a route at a site close to your location, and then commit to delivering on a regular basis -- weekly, or biweekly, based on your schedule and employee availability.

Employees sign up at your locations and typically work in teams of two, rotating on a week-by-week basis. The more people who volunteer, the less frequently any one individual is asked to assist. Volunteers arrive at our sites around 10:45, and routes take between 60 and 90 minutes to complete.

The benefits to your company or organization are numerous. Delivering meals to the homebound promotes team-building and morale, and provides busy employees with an opportunity to be active in community service without taking away precious evening and weekend time with their families.

It also enhances your reputation as a community partner, allowing for greater social responsibility at minimal cost.

To take advantage of this community service opportunity and help the homebound by volunteering with the Meals On Wheels Adopt-A-Route program, call our volunteer department at 330-832-7220.

USA TODAY Shines Spotlight On the Work of Meals On Wheels

Meals On Wheels was featured in a recent USA TODAY special section titled, "A Hunger-Free America," which highlighted programs around the country that address the problem of hunger in the United States.

Meals On Wheels was credited with addressing the issue of senior hunger in an article by Sally Wadyka of Media Planet, creators of the special section.

"By delivering to those who are homebound we are enabling seniors to stay in their homes and remain independent," Michael Flynn, director of communications for the Meals On Wheels Association of America, told Wadyka.

The article described corporate partnerships like the one with the Walmart Foundation, and credited them with helping in the effort to eliminate senior hunger in America.

Click on the article image above to see an enlarged version.

Get a Free Celebrity Cookbook Download, Plus Make a $1 Donation to Meals On Wheels, with a Simple Click!

Barilla Pasta is a great friend to Meals On Wheels, and now through Oct. 15 Barilla will make a $1 donation to MOW for every click on their "Share the Table" page on the Barilla website.

In addition, after clicking on the "Yes I do!" button, you'll be able to download a free copy of the 32-page Celebrity Pasta Lovers' Cookbook, featuring recipes from Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Jimmy Fallon, Mariska Hargitay, and more.

Nothing could be easier! Simply click here to go to the Barilla Pasta site, then click on the Yes button and you're on your way -- and another dollar will go to Meals On Wheels!

Produce Donated From Perry Community Garden

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties has received more produce -- this time from a community garden in Perry Township.

The garden is on private farm property and is open to anyone who wants to plant, cultivate and harvest their own garden. Many residents of the surrounding area have taken advantage of the offer and planted their own gardens. Some of the gardeners have chosen to donate a portion of their crops to area missions, food banks and other food service organizations.

Tom Tasker (left) and Ken Shreffler of the Perry Township Parks Department are pictured here with their most recent delivery of produce to Meals On Wheels. The produce is used by our commissary staff in meals prepared for our clients.

We're grateful for the generosity and hard work of those who have chosen to support Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties with the fruit of their labor. We can always use donations such as this, and the ones from our partners at the Stark County Jail garden.

For information on how to donate produce to Meals On Wheels, just give us a call at 330-832-7220.

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties Visits Two Community Events

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties participated in two community events the week of September 13.

Linda Spielman, volunteer coordinator, represented the agency Sept. 14 at a volunteer fair sponsored by Mount Union University in Alliance. The event was attended by students, faculty and staff, and was designed to let members of the university community learn about volunteer service opportunities in the area.

Tom Delamater, public relations administrator, represented the agency Sept. 19 at a missions fair (above photo) sponsored by Bethany Mennonite Church in Hartville. About 250 members of the congregation enjoyed lunch in the church's gymnasium facility, and then toured the more than two dozen displays by organizations offering service opportunities locally, nationally and abroad.

Meals On Wheels was represented by a display board and an assortment of literature describing the agency, its programs, and volunteer opportunities.

Volunteering to deliver meals for Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties is easy! Call 330-832-7220 for more information or to get started.

Day of Caring Volunteers Assist Meals On Wheels in Stark County

Once again, corporate volunteers turned out in large numbers to assist Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties during the United Way Day of Caring on Thursday, Sept. 16.

More than 100 volunteers were assigned by the United Way of Stark County to Meals On Wheels sites throughout the county. At all 13 sites in the county, volunteers delivered meals to our clients.

In addition, volunteers at our administrative center in Massillon helped prepare food for future deliveries, and completed a number of maintenance tasks in the building.

"We were overwhelmed by the response to our needs," our CEO, Teresa Barry, told the Canton Repository.

She said that, in addition to the help provided by the company participants, there was an even greater potential benefit.

"Some (volunteers) also expressed interest in helping throughout the year in our corporate volunteer program, so we're excited about the impact the Day of Caring has had on our agency."

According to Linda Spielman, volunteer coordinator, several participants in the Day of Caring expressed a willingness to begin volunteering on a regular basis to deliver meals.

Countywide, more than 1,000 volunteers from 55 companies assisted 44 non-profit agencies during the Day of Caring event.

Firestone Store Presents Check to Meals On Wheels From Aug. 15 Fundraiser

The final results are in, and the amount is even higher than originally anticipated.

On Aug. 15, the Firestone Auto Center at the Chapel Hill Mall near Akron held a raffle and fundraiser to benefit Meals On Wheels. WQMX-FM also raffled off concert tickets as part of the benefit. A total of $1,897 was raised on the day.

On Sept. 11, Scott Wilson, manager of the Firestone store (left, in photo), presented a check for $2,000 to Tom Delamater, public relations administrator for Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties (shown on the right). Firestone contributed an additional amount to arrive at the final total.

We appreciate the support and enthusiasm for the work and mission of Meals On Wheels displayed by our friends at Firestone, and are grateful for the financial support they provided.

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties Participates in Local Family Care Fair

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties was represented at a Family Care Fair on Thursday, Sept. 9, at Fellowship Baptist Church in Navarre.

About 30 people from the congregation and neighboring community heard speakers from several social service organizations, and visited their display tables afterward to learn more about the programs offered.

Tom Delamater, public relations administrator for Meals On Wheels, spoke briefly to the group and gave an overview of the agency's services. Literature was available in the lobby about meal delivery, congregate dining, and volunteer opportunities.

Other organizations like the Area Agency on Aging, Aultman Primetime, Crossroads Hospice and several home health care organizations were also represented.


Fellowship Baptist Church is located on Fohl Rd. in Navarre, just south of Canton and adjacent to Interstate 77. The church, which is in the midst of a $1.2 million facility expansion, opened in 1994 with five families and has since grown to 400 members.

The Joys and Benefits of Congregate Dining

There is nothing like the feeling of sharing a hot, well-balanced meal while enjoying the simple pleasure of conversation and companionship. Studies have shown that socialization is an important part of remaining mentally alert as we age, and brightening our outlook on life in general. That's where our Congregate Dining Program fits in; it's an important part of the services we provide at Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties.

The Congregate Dining Program is available at 14 of our locations in Stark and Wayne counties. It is funded in part through the Older Americans Act and provides individuals over the age of 60 (or spouses) the opportunity to have a hot, nutritionally balanced meal in a group setting. The suggested donation is $2.50 per meal. (Guests under the age of 60 may attend for a fee of $4.50.) These hot meals are available Monday through Friday at 11:45 am. Reservations are required. Guests must provide their own transportation.

More information is available by calling our office at 330-832-7220, or toll-free at 1-800-466-8010.

Roast Beef...Sliced Turkey...Baked Chicken...Meatball Subs...Spaghetti -- Just Another Month on the Meals On Wheels Menu!

The September menu is out, and it's loaded with delicious, nutritious meals that are prepared fresh daily in our commissary.

Click on the image below for a larger view. The menu is also available on our website, http://www.mow-starkwayne.org/.

Meals On Wheels Of Stark & Wayne Counties Represented at MOWAA's 2010 Annual Conference in Atlanta

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties is represented at the 2010 Annual Conference in Atlanta this week.

Teresa Barry, CEO, and Nora Logsdon, program manager, left Sunday for the conference, which gets underway at noon today and runs through Thursday night. It is being held at the Omni Hotel at the CNN Center.

"Building Communities to End Senior Hunger" is the theme of this year's conference, which will include general sessions, breakout seminars, a vendor fair and several receptions. Guest speakers include longtime ABC news reporter and anchor Sam Donaldson, and Tony Hall, an ambassador to the U.N. under former President George W. Bush and now managing director of the Alliance to End Hunger.

The conference will also feature a march across Centennial Park in Atlanta, a symbolic effort to draw attention to the fight against senior hunger in America. Conference attendees are being invited to participate in the march on Wednesday, Sept. 1.

Terri's two-year term as chairman of the MOWAA board comes to an end during the conference. She'll continue to serve on the board as immediate past chairman, as well as on the board of the MOWAA Foundation.

CEO Discusses Boomers, Agency Programs on WHBC Radio Appearance

CEO Teresa Barry discussed the aging baby boomer generation and the services offered by Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties during a radio appearance this morning in Canton.

Terri appeared with host Ron Ponder on "Points to Ponder," which airs weekday mornings from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on NewsTalk 1480, WHBC-AM. The station has dominated local ratings in Stark County for decades.

Ron and Terri discussed her recent op-ed piece published in The Repository, the daily newspaper in Canton, in which she outlined the challenges presented by an aging baby boom generation that will enter retirement age starting in 2011. For the two decades that follow, a larger number of retirees will place an increasing burden on Social Security and other entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid.

The two also discussed Meals On Wheels and the work being done both locally and nationally, including Terri's contributions the past two years as chairman of the board of the Meals On Wheels Association of America.

The segment featuring Terri ran during the last portion of the show, from 11:35 to 12 noon.

Kent Stark Freshman Students Lend A Hand to MOWSW

Twenty-five freshman students from Kent State Stark volunteered at Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties this month as part of a service-learning project designed to involve them in the community.

Led by Marisa Naftzger, assistant director for first-year experience at Kent Stark, the students helped prepare and deliver meals on Friday, Aug. 13 and Friday, Aug. 20.

This is the second consecutive year that students from Kent State Stark volunteered at Meals On Wheels. According to Marisa, the project not only benefits the agency, but also the students, who become better acquainted by working together on the agency's behalf.

Kent State Stark, located in Jackson Township, is the largest regional campus of Kent State University, serving 10,000 students annually (5,300 in academic coursework and 4,700 in professional development courses). Fall classes at the campus begin Aug. 30.

Area Firestone Dealer Supports Meals On Wheels

The Firestone store at the Chapel Hill Mall near Akron held a Charity Event & Raffle on Sunday, Aug. 15, with 100 percent of the proceeds designated for Meals On Wheels.

The event took place in the store parking lot from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Free hamburgers, hot dogs, soft drinks and sno-cones were provided, along with an inflatable "Spider-Man" bouncing playground for kids, provided by Steve's House of Bounce.

Scott Wilson, store manager, got the idea for the raffle after attending a Firestone dealers conference in Florida. Enid Borden, president of the Meals On Wheels Association of America, spoke to the group and talked about the mission of Meals On Wheels and the need at local programs around the country.

Scott returned to Ohio and began working on the event idea. Raffle prizes were donated by area businesses such as O'Charley's Restaurant, TranzPro Transmission, Credit First National, Pepsi, and WONE 97.5 Radio, along with Bridgestone/Firestone and the mall management.

Ken Steel of WQMX 94.9 FM, shown at right in the blue shirt, was present at the event and phoned in updates throughout the afternoon. WQMX also held a raffle for concert tickets, with all proceeds also going to Meals On Wheels.

Firestone raffle prizes included four tickets to the Cleveland Browns 2010 home opener, five sets of tickets to any remaining Cleveland Indians home game in 2010, Akron Aeros tickets, aluminum wheels from Terry's Tire Town, Bridgestone golf balls, umbrellas and a Bridgestone golf bag, Bridgestone and Firestone hats, an iPod Touch, restaurant gift cards and more.

Scott Wilson is shown in the bottom photo as he assists one of the raffle entrants.

Almost $1,900 was raised on behalf of Meals On Wheels during the event. Our thanks to Scott and everyone at Firestone, and to WQMX for their support during the afternoon.

WKYC News Report on Jail Garden Project

The jail garden feature by WKYC-TV reporter Amanda Barren appeared on Friday night's news on the Cleveland station. Barren spent about 90 minutes at the jail that morning and completed several interviews with people who had been involved with the project.

A link to the story on the WKYC website can be accessed here. The site includes a link to the video feature that appeared on the news.

Jail Garden Project on Cleveland TV News

The Garden Project at the Stark County Jail continues to draw media interest. Now in its second year, the garden was scheduled to be featured on the 6 p.m. newscast on WKYC-TV 3 in Cleveland on Friday, August 13.

Reporter Amanda Barren visited the jail on Friday morning and interviewed a number of individuals who have been involved with the project, including:

• Teresa Barry, CEO, Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties
• Nick Kennedy of the Stark Farm Bureau
• Maureen Austin of the OSU Extension Stark County
• Rudy Moyer, Master Gardener Volunteer with the OSU Extension Stark County
• Mark Henderson of the Stark County Sheriff's Department

She also spoke to one of the inmates, and videotaped inmates and jail personnel harvesting vegetables and loading them onto the Meals On Wheels truck.

Afterward, Rudy (pictured at right with some of the inmates) said the project continues to produce impressive results. "I really believe in the project," he said, "and in working with the inmates. We could involve even more in the future. There's tremendous potential there, but you've got to start small and grow."

He said the quality of the produce is second to none. "It's all natural. There are no herbicides, no pesticides, no insecticides. So you don't have to worry about something being on the food that could harm you at some point, whether it's now or thirty years from now."

About 100 more pounds of food was bagged and delivered to Meals On Wheels after the videotaping sessions were finished Friday morning.

Bumper Crop from Stark County Jail Garden Benefits MOWSW

The garden at the Stark County Jail is producing an excellent harvest so far this summer, yielding abundant crops that in turn are benefiting Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties and its clients.

The garden, now in its second year, was started entirely from seed this year. Rudy Moyer, volunteer with Master Gardeners of Stark County, conducted a seed-starting workshop at the jail in the spring. Peppers and tomatoes were started indoors, then planted along with other produce when weather permitted planting outdoors. Seeds for the project were donated by the Stark County Farm Bureau and the OSU Extension.

The garden was planted by inmates at the jail, who also water and harvest the vegetables on a daily basis.

As of Aug. 10 almost 500 pounds of produce had been harvested and delivered to Meals On Wheels, including 130 pounds of tomatoes, 75 pounds of zucchini, 63 pounds of green peppers, 50 pounds of cucumbers, and 49 pounds of squash. Other items planted in this year’s garden include salad mix, chard, peas, onions, radishes, pole beans, leaf lettuce, and hot peppers.

Watch our blog for more details on the garden project.

Roast Beef! Chicken Alfredo! Hawaiian Chicken Salad! Cavatappi with Meat Sauce! The August Menu Has It All, and More...

The August menu has been published. Click on the image below to see a larger version. You can also access the menu on our agency website.

Mmm, Mmm, good...

Wall Street Journal Highlights Potential Impact of Health Care Reforms on Senior Programs

A Wall Street Journal article this week placed more of the spotlight on the current government-led health reforms and the potential effect they will have on senior programs in the United States.

"Across the country, dozens of private insurers that run...Medicare plans are preparing to pare dental, vision and certain prescription-drug coverage starting next year...," the article says, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Click here to read the entire report.