WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman Dave Joyce served lunch at the Eastlake Senior Center with Meals on Wheels volunteers in honor of Meals on Wheels America’s Community Champions Week. Celebrated March 18 – March 25, this week recognizes the dedicated staff and volunteers of Meals on Wheels who deliver meals each week to homebound seniors and provide them with a vital connection to their communities. Dave was joined by Eastlake Senior Center Director Grace Giangiacomo and Lake County Council on Aging Director of Community Services Nancy Niehus.

“I was proud to spend time with the seniors in our community and join Lake County’s Council on Aging in recognizing all the great work their volunteers do,” said Dave. “Too many of our seniors live alone and are unable to shop for groceries, prepare food themselves or travel to places where meals are served. Meals on Wheels not only ensures these individuals receive nutritious meals, but also helps foster independence and provides a much-needed community connection.”

“The Lake County Council on Aging was pleased to have Congressman Dave Joyce visit our Eastlake Lunch Place today to serve sit-down meals and visit with our guests,” said Nancy Niehus, Director of Community Services for the Lake County Council on Aging. “The Council on Aging serves nearly 800 meals daily across Lake County from five nutrition sites, either as delivered meals to the homebound or congregate lunches to seniors who are able to get out and eat with their neighbors. Our program addresses senior food insecurity as well as social isolation, two critical issues for maintaining health and independence.”

According to Meals on Wheels America’s most recent report, there are over 670,000 seniors in Ohio who are isolated and living alone, while over 440,000 are threatened by hunger and more than 690,000 are living in or near poverty. That’s why Dave has consistently supported programs that help ensure seniors across the country can live happier, healthier and more independent lives. Just this week across Lake County, five nutrition sites will serve 3,557 home-delivered meals to 604 seniors with the help of nearly 300 generous volunteers.

To learn more about community-based Meals on Wheel programs across the country, click here. To learn more about the escalating problem of senior hunger and isolation in the United States, click here.