MEALS ON WHEELS - A PIECE OF THE KENNEDY LEGACY
By Lady of Light
LEGACY
With the recent passing of Senator Ted Kennedy, it is especially appropriate to do an article on "Meals on Wheels" due to the fact that it was part of Kennedy's Legacy. Prior to 1962, there was no "Meals on WHeels" program subsidized by the Federal government - Senator Ted Kennedy's voice in the Senate was instrumental in effecting the passage of this legislation.
HISTORY
From a historical perspective, "Meals on Wheels" started in Great Britain after the Blitz, in 1947.
Modern day programs began in Australia in 1952; the first program in the United States began in Philadelphia, Pa. in 1954 and the second in Columbus, Ohio; the third was in Rochester, New York in 1958. Canada implemented its progrram in 1965.
In 2007, the Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), a non-profit organization, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, did a study on hunger of senior citizens. It was found that 5 million seniors had some "food insecurity" - 11.4% of all seniors. The findings of this study were released at a hearing of the US Senate Special Committee on Aging in March of 2008 in Washington, DC.
Although many programs are run on a County level, the Federal program subsidy allows that only a request for a donation may be given rather than charging a fee as some programs do.
My husband and I are seniors who volunteer with the program and I would encourage others to look into what they can do in this program and in general about the growing problem of hunger in our country.
