DFMOW JOINS IN MONTH-LONG March for Meals CELEBRATION WITH COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE

Support will help to fight senior hunger and isolation in Northern Chautauqua County

After a 3-year hiatus, Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels will be participating in the 21st Annual March for Meals – a month-long, nationwide celebration of Meal on Wheels and our senior neighbors who rely on this essential service to remain healthy and independent at home, now even more so amid a lingering pandemic and high inflation.

“We have been in awe of the outpouring of support from the community over the past 3 years,” said Deb Pacos, Executive Director. “There’s still much we can do to ensure everyone in need of our vital lifeline can benefit from being well-nourished and more connected to our community through this challenging time and beyond.”

The annual March for Meals celebration commemorates the historic day in March of 1972 when President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. This critical support and federal funding has fueled the growth of the Meals on Wheels network for more than 50 years.

During the month, community-based Meals on Wheels programs from across the country will join forces for the annual awareness campaign to celebrate this successful public-private partnership and garner the resources needed to reach every senior in need of a nutritious meal, friendly visit and safety check.

“March is an important time for us to come together to ensure that Meals on Wheels is there for all of our senior neighbors in need,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “The demand for services is already great and approximately 12,000 Americans are turning 60 every day. We must maintain and expand the programs that have helped so many get through this unprecedented time in our nation’s history. We can’t do it alone. It takes all of us to keep the nationwide Meals on Wheels movement going.”

You can read more in the Observer article here: https://www.observertoday.com/news/top-stories/2023/04/a-great-program-mow-celebrates-community-champions-with-march-for-meals/

Dunkirk Mayor, Willie Rosas & MOW Driver Mark Emke
A special shout-out to County Executive PJ Wendell, his assistant, Executive Director Deb Pacos with drivers Mark Emke, Bob Kachermeyer, and Ed Rusch.
We want to thank our friends at Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation with Executive Director Diane Fedele Hannum, United Way of Northern Chautauqua County with Executive Director Adam Dolce and our fabulous volunteer Sara Woelfle Marsowicz and our own Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals On Wheels Executive Director Deb Pacos. Thank you for providing your time and a meal in hand to our wonderful Seniors!
We wanted to thank Fredonia’s Public Works Department Chair Scott Marsh for riding along to bring meals to our Seniors! Some good laughs and memories were made. Always many thanks and love to our wonderful volunteers Kerry Askin, Jon Wysong, and Emily VanDette! Thank you!!
Many thanks to Chautauqua County Sheriff Jim Quattrone for visiting with us at Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals On Wheels to bring joy and smiles to our Seniors with a meal! Also pictured with our volunteers (L to R) Al Pacos, Connie Piccolo (Office Manager), Mark Emke (driver), Bob Kachermeyer (driver), Joan Will, and Tom Morrissey! You all rock!
Shout out to Brocton Central School Superintendent Jason Delcamp with our Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals On Wheels staff Connie, Bob, Mark and Ed for delivering meals to our seniors in the Brocton area. Thanks for leading our community well!