United Way of York County Grant Helps Ensure Seniors Receive Nutritious Food
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Glenn Michaels, Volunteers of America Northern New England
Office: (207) 373-1140 ext. 216
glenn.michaels@voanne.org
SACO, ME (May 4, 2011) — Funding for Let's Eat!, a food security program for low-income senior residents at Paul Hazelton House in Saco, Maine, was recently renewed with a $2,400 grant from United Way of York County.
“We are truly grateful for the continued support of the United Way and many dedicated individuals, businesses and organizations throughout York County for making this grant possible,” said June Koegel, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Northern New England. “This is a difficult time for seniors, especially ones on fixed incomes. The Let’s Eat! program ensures that local seniors receive nourishing food at times when they need it. These seniors are our parents and grandparents and our sisters and brothers and they deserve nothing less.”
Let’s Eat! is made possible through United Way of York County funding and volunteer support. Let’s Eat provides monthly fresh food supplements, community meals and nutrition education to more than 30 low-income seniors living at Paul Hazelton House. In addition, because the food is received through valued relationships with Angel Food Ministries and Good Shepherd Food Bank, program costs are kept to a minimum.
The impetus for the program was survey results from residents stating that toward the end of the month, when social security and other fixed incomes were depleted, food was a common place to cut corners to make ends meet.
Program Manager, Deborah Danforth adds, "The United Way of York County's support for Let's Eat! has completely eliminated food insecurity among the seniors in our program. Additionally, through the food distribution process and community meals, Let's Eat! combats social isolation and promotes a sense of family and community within Paul Hazelton House.”
Koegel also stated, “In Maine and New Hampshire, we provide affordable housing for seniors, homeless veterans, adults with severe mental illness and homeless youth. Support from the United Way of York County has allowed us to develop a simple and low cost, yet highly effective program model that we hope to replicate throughout our other facilities.”
"Despite economic uncertainty in 2010, local people gave very generously to our United Way community campaign," said United Way of York County President and CEO Kathryn Davis. "As a result, in 2011 we were able to provide much need financial support for essential human services across our region. This year, the United Way is investing in 78 community programs serving children, youth, adults and families.”
Volunteers of America Northern New England is a national, non-profit, spiritually based organization providing local human service programs and opportunities for individual and community involvement. Volunteers of America is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit providers of affordable housing for low-income seniors. Other services include providing support for homeless veterans, homeless youth and adults with severe mental illnesses, and incarcerated men and women and their families. Additional information is available on our website at www.voanne.org.
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