Area Mayors, Council Members Deliver on 'Mayors For Meals' Day

Nine area mayors and city council members joined forces with Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties this morning to deliver meals during the annual "Mayors For Meals" event.

"Mayors For Meals," sponsored by the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is part of MOWAA's month-long "March For Meals" campaign, a national effort to heighten awareness about senior nutrition, senior hunger, and meal delivery programs across the country.

Joining us today, and delivering out of sites in their respective communities, were: Mayor Bob Breneman, Wooster; Mayor Kathy Catazaro-Perry, Massillon; Mayor Richard Currie, Hartville; Councilman James Griffin, Canton Ward 3; Mayor David Handwerk, Orrville; Mayor Bob Leach, Magnolia; Mayor Terry Lindeman, Doylestown; Mayor Mike Schwab, Brewster; and Councilwoman Christine Smith, Canton Ward 4.

Pictured in the top photo are Ted Herncane, community development director for the City of Massillon; Mayor Catazaro-Perry; and volunteers David Allen and Lloyd Porter, in the lobby of our administrative center in Massillon. In the lower photo, the mayor and volunteer Sharon Parker pause before beginning their delivery route.

We appreciate all of the mayors and council members for taking time out of their schedules to deliver meals and draw attention to the work of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties.

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties Receives Walmart Foundation Grant

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties has been awarded a $3000 grant from the Walmart Foundation for our participation in the "We Are Meals On Wheels" public awareness campaign last fall.

"We Are Meals On Wheels" is the national slogan developed by the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), headquartered in Alexandria, Va. The marketing campaign and a variety of resources for member agencies were introduced at last year's MOWAA conference in Chicago.

Locally, we promoted the campaign via our social media pages, distribution of volunteer recruitment fliers, and airing of television promos on Canton City Schools Television and the City of Canton Televsion, both on Time Warner Cable in Canton.

"Your program has proven that it is a leader in this national campaign," said Enid Borden, MOWAA president and CEO. "Only with sustained awareness-building efforts will we be able to end senior hunger in America by 2020."

Challenges Met: Meals On Wheels Profiled in Massillon Independent's 'Progress' Section

"Creativity and community support" allowed Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties to continue to fulfill its mission in 2011 despite numerous challenges, according to a profile in the Massillon Independent's "Progress 2012" section on March 10.

The article discusses how the rising cost of fuel carries over to the cost of food, which in turn has gone up. Both increases affect the agency's bottom line.

As a result, "we're inventing new ways to keep the business going," CEO Teresa Barry told the Independent.

Click on the article image for a larger, readable version.

Ohio's Rapidly Aging Population 'Underscores Growing Need for Senior Services'

Seniors age 65 and older now comprise more than 14 percent of Ohio's population -- higher than the national average -- "underscoring the growing need for senior services," according to a recent study reported on by the Associated Press.

Bonnie Kantor-Burman, director of the Ohio Department of Aging, said “we must make bold, sweeping changes now to prepare to serve our growing and changing population.”

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties continues to provide a vital service to seniors, through our home delivery and congregate programs. Call us at 330-832-7220 for more information.

You can read the Associated Press report in this article from today's Massillon Independent.

'Wheels for Meals' Car Raffle to Benefit Agency; Limited Number of Tickets Now Available!

Ever imagined yourself driving the streets of your town in a shiny new Ford Mustang convertible? Well, your dream could come true if you're the winner in our car raffle!

Together with Waikem Ford, we're excited to announce the "Wheels for Meals" car raffle. Tickets are $75 apiece, and the winner could claim either a three-year lease on a 2013 Ford Mustang or $10,000 in cash. (See "Terms and Conditions," below.)

The raffle is being held in conjunction with planning for our annual fundraising dinner and auction, scheduled for later in the year.

Buying a raffle ticket is a great way to support Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties and the work we do in the community. And who knows? You might just be the big winner!

For more information or to inquire about purchasing a raffle ticket, just give us a call at 330-832-7220.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Winner must be 21 years of age, have a valid driver's license, insurance, and must qualify through Ford Motor Credit to claim the automobile lease. Drawing to be held on Nov. 9, 2012. Winner need not be present. A maximum of 500 tickets will be sold. If fewer than 250 tickets are sold, the raffle becomes a 50/50 drawing.

'What's On My Plate?' Day Calls Attention to Importance of Proper Nutrition

Today (March 8) has been designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as "What's on My Plate?" day to heighten public awareness of the importance of choosing nutritious foods for a healthy meal.

"USDA is committed to helping Americans make healthier food choices and our MyPlate symbol is a simple reminder to think before we eat," said Tom Vilsack, agriculture secretary.

Proper nutrition is at the center of all we do at Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties. We're the largest and most dependable provider of nutrition in the two-county area.

A licensed dietitian designs our meal plans. Hot meals contain a main entree, starch, vegetable, bread and dessert. The beverage is a choice between 2%, skim or chocolate milk.

Regular and diabetic meals are available. Renal patients and heart patients, or anyone in need of such a specialized diet, find our meals appropriate and compatible as a source of nutrition with which to build their daily intake.

Home delivered meals are available for any homebound individual, and meals can be contracted on a short- or long-term basis.

For more information, give us a call at 330-832-7220, or visit us online at www.mow-starkwayne.org.

'The Main Event,' New Fundraiser to Benefit Meals On Wheels, to Feature Western Theme in November

Western attire will be the dress code this fall when Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties introduces “The Main Event,” an annual dinner and auction to benefit the agency, on Nov. 9 at Glenmoor Country Club.

The western décor will match the theme for the evening, “Give Hunger the Boot,” which celebrates the agency’s work in combating hunger among homebound individuals in the two-county area.

“Part of the mission of Meals On Wheels is to eliminate senior hunger in America, and we certainly are committed to that locally,” said Teresa Barry, CEO of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties. “This dinner and auction will help draw attention to the nutritional needs of our homebound population, while also raising much-needed funds in support of our mission.”

The event will also honor three individuals who played a vital role in establishing Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties: William Belden, Stanley Cmich and Jane Schirack.

“We are forever indebted to those three pioneers who laid the groundwork for the service we provide today,” said Barry.

In addition to the dinner, the evening will feature silent and live auctions. Event organizers will also be conducting a car raffle this spring and summer, with proceeds going to Meals On Wheels. The raffle will feature a 2013 Ford Mustang convertible from Waikem Ford in Massillon.

Darlene Violet is serving as general chairperson for the event. She is president and founder of Shared Blessings and past president of the Stark County Medical Society Auxiliary. Violet previously co-chaired the Aultman Angel Auction and the Kimono as Art exhibit at the Canton Museum of Art. A portion of the event proceeds will support Shared Blessings’ work with local soup kitchens and food pantries.

Information about sponsorships and tickets may be obtained by calling the agency at 330-832-7220.

March Comes In Like a Gourmet Meal with Cavitappi with Meat Sauce, Creamed Chicken, Corned Beef Casserole, Minnesota Wild Rice Soup & More On the Menu

More delicious, freshly prepared meals are featured on our March menu. Click on the image below to enlarge for easy reading.

If you'd like to start home delivery, or you know someone who is homebound (even temporarily, due to illness or recovery) and would benefit from home delivery, just give us a call at 330-832-7220. We deliver weekdays between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and can begin service within two business days of your call.

For complete information, visit our website at www.mow-starkwayne.org.