March for Meals

In the month of March, Meals on Wheels of Wake County calls on our community to come together in support of our seniors and the neighbors who care for them. Caring for older adults is a shared responsibility and a shared opportunity to strengthen Wake County as a whole. 

On March 22, 1972, President Richard Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 and established a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. These critical programs – commonly referred to as Meals on Wheels – have delivered more than just nutritious meals to home-bound seniors in virtually every community across the country. For more than 50 years, the Older Americans Act (OAA) has been the primary piece of federal legislation supporting the social and nutritional needs of adults age 60 and older. The dedicated volunteers who deliver these meals each week provide a lifeline and connection to the community, which are sometimes all it takes to keep our senior neighbors at home, where they want to be.

While the OAA laid a strong foundation, federal funding alone has never been enough to meet the growing need. The Older Americans Act was designed to supplement community efforts- not replace them. As America’s senior population rapidly expands and more older adults choose to age in place, demand for home-delivered meals continues to rise. Unfortunately, federal appropriations have not kept pace with inflation, food costs, fuel expenses, and the increasing number of seniors who qualify for services.

Without broader community investment, programs like ours face difficult decisions about who receives services and how often meals can be delivered. This is why community engagement is not optional- it is essential! 

Ensuring that older Americans receive nutritious meals and daily human connection is not solely a federal responsibility; it is a shared community commitment. When we invest locally in Meals on Wheels, we provide more than a meal.

Meals on Wheels intercepts senior hunger at a critical moment.

• According to Feeding America, Wake County has one of the highest rates of senior hunger in the nation. 
• Meals on Wheels steps in before hunger becomes a crisis by providing consistent, nutritious meals and trusted personal contact. These services stabilize health and restore dignity. 
• By identifying and addressing food insecurity early, we help prevent more serious health complications. This ensures that vulnerable seniors are not left behind. 

Meals on Wheels is neighbors taking care of neighbors.

• Every meal delivered represents a community volunteer knocking on a door. For many older adults, this volunteer may be the only person they see that day. 
• Volunteers offer a friendly smile and share meaningful moments of connection. Senior isolation has become an epidemic, making these visits more important than ever. 
• Regular check-ins provide companionship, reduce loneliness, and offer reassurance that someone is looking out for their well-being. 

Meals on Wheels helps seniors live safely in their own homes and communities.

• Nutritious meals and regular safety checks support independence and dignity. 
• Families gain peace of mind knowing their loved ones are supported. 
• Daily visits provide both nourishment and reassurance that someone cares. 

Meals on Wheels is good for our entire local economy.

• The cost of providing meals and supportive services for a senior for an entire year is roughly the same as just 10 days in a nursing home, or one day in a hospital. 
• Helping seniors remain at home reduces strain on healthcare systems and long-term care facilities. This approach invests in a more cost-effective and compassionate solution. 

• Our senior population in Wake County is growing rapidly- by 2040, there will be more seniors in Wake County than children according to the NC Office of Budget and Management. 
• Demand for nutritious meals, safety checks, and supportive services will continue to rise- now is the time to strengthen programs that help aging neighbors remain healthy and independent. 

The cost of living — especially food — continues to climb. 

• Many seniors live on fixed incomes that do not keep pace with rising grocery prices- housing, utilities, and healthcare expenses are also increasing. 
• Cost of living in Wake County has surged, with a 19.2% increase in the consumer price index from 2019–2023 according to Wake County Government. 
• Meals on Wheels helps relieve that burden- seniors gain reliable access to nutritious meals without sacrificing other basic needs. 

Wake County is prospering — we must not leave behind the elders who built it. 

• The community’s growth and prosperity were built by today’s seniors. They include former teachers, veterans, small business owners, public servants, and parents. 
• As Wake County thrives, we have both an opportunity and a responsibility to ensure seniors can age with dignity, security, and support. 

This March, we invite Wake County to rally together. When we support Meals on Wheels of Wake County, we strengthen our seniors, families, and broader community. When neighbors care for neighbors, everyone thrives.