Meals on Wheels America Announces Bold Plan to End the Wait for Millions of Seniors Facing Food Insecurity and Social Isolation – Perishable News

Meals on Wheels America Announces New Plan to End the Wait for Seniors in Need

Plan shared in front of hundreds of local Meals on Wheels program leaders and national partners at the organization’s 50^th anniversary convening in Baltimore

Introduction

Meals on Wheels America celebrated its 50^th anniversary by highlighting its achievements in supporting community-based Meals on Wheels programs across the country. However, it also emphasized the need for significant change to address the long-standing issues faced by the underfunded and ignored senior population. While Meals on Wheels provides life-saving services to millions of seniors daily, there are still too many older Americans waiting for nutritious meals and social connection. To address this, the organization unveiled a new plan at its 2024 Meals on Wheels Annual Conference and Expo to ensure that every senior in need receives Meals on Wheels.

The Challenge

Despite the tireless efforts of local Meals on Wheels programs, they struggle to meet the overwhelming demand in their communities. In the United States, 12 million seniors face hunger, and one in three feels lonely. Government funding, private donations, and volunteers have declined, leaving seniors waiting for months or even years for assistance. The growing demand and rising costs further exacerbate the situation, forcing providers to stretch their limited resources and make difficult decisions. One in three Meals on Wheels programs has a waitlist with an average wait time of three months. The urgency to act is clear.

The New Path Forward

Meals on Wheels America unveiled a new plan that focuses on two interconnected goals: serving more and serving better.

Serve More

• Enacting a holistic set of strategies to meet the growing unmet need among older adults, particularly those with multiple chronic conditions and those living in rural communities and communities of color.

Serve Better

• Driving capacity-building and partnership at multiple levels to enhance local organizations’ ability to deliver tailored nutrition and improved social connection services.

Meals on Wheels remains the most effective solution to address senior hunger and isolation. The infrastructure is already in place, with local Meals on Wheels programs operating in nearly every community nationwide. These programs are eager to do more, but they urgently need additional resources.

The Vision

The plan to End the Wait brings Meals on Wheels America closer to its vision of ensuring that all seniors have access to nutritious meals, moments of connection, and other life-saving services that enable them to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. To learn more about the plan, visit www.MealsOnWheelsAmerica.org/OurPlan.

About Meals on Wheels America

Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting over 5,000 community-based programs dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation in the United States. Powered by a trusted volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and enables independence and well-being through tailored nutrition, social connection, safety, and more. By providing funding, programming, education, research, and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. To find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses the issue of senior hunger and isolation, which is connected to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) as it highlights the need for nutritious meals for older Americans. It is also connected to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) as it mentions the life-saving services provided by Meals on Wheels. The article further addresses the issue of inequality, which is linked to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) as it mentions that older Americans are waiting months or even years for help. Additionally, the article mentions the need for partnership and collaboration, which aligns with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Finally, the article refers to the Meals on Wheels network operating in nearly every community, which relates to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular, the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
• Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.
• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

The targets identified are based on the specific SDGs mentioned in the previous answer. Target 2.1 is relevant as it aims to end hunger and ensure access to nutritious food for all, including vulnerable populations such as seniors. Target 3.8 is applicable as it focuses on achieving universal health coverage and access to essential health services, which includes the life-saving services provided by Meals on Wheels. Target 10.2 is connected to the issue of inequality and aims to promote the inclusion of all individuals, regardless of age. Target 11.3 relates to the Meals on Wheels network operating in communities and their role in sustainable urbanization and human settlement planning. Target 17.17 emphasizes the importance of partnerships, which is highlighted in the article as Meals on Wheels America leverages national partnerships to help end the wait for life-saving services.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment
• Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and disability
• Indicator 11.3.1: Ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate
• Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships

The indicators mentioned can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. Indicator 2.1.1 measures the prevalence of undernourishment, which is relevant to target 2.1. Indicator 3.8.1 assesses the coverage of essential health services, aligning with target 3.8. Indicator 10.2.1 measures the proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, which is applicable to target 10.2. Indicator 11.3.1 evaluates the ratio of land consumption rate to population growth rate, which relates to target 11.3. Indicator 17.17.1 measures the amount of financial commitment to partnerships, which is relevant to target 17.17.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: perishablenews.com