In the month of March, Coastline Elderly Services, local provider of the Meals on Wheels program, will join forces with Meals on Wheels programs all across the country to get the word out about the importance of this senior meals program. The Meals on Wheels program provides daily meals for individuals (and eligible family members) who are 60 years old, homebound, and unable to prepare their own food due to illness, incapacitation or the absence of a care-taking family member. The funding for this program is a mix of public, private money and the program depends on the generosity of hundreds of volunteers and voluntary donations made by meal recipients.

Several local events during the March for Meals Campaign are planned including:

• Ordering green carnations for $1 at our meal sites or at our main office. Purchase by Friday March 13th and delivery to sites or main office will be on Monday March 16th .
• Corned Beef and Cabbage or Cacolia Dinner & Dance with Chinese Auction on Saturday March 14th from 5 PM – 12 PM at the V.F.W. in Fairhaven. Tickets are $12 per person.
• Papa Gino's Community Fundraiser – Tuesday March 31st. Click here for more information.

For more information about these events or how you can donate to this campaign, please call Evelyn or Carol at: (508) 999-6400 x 188 or x 191.

As part of our Meals on Wheels program, a variety of options are available to meet varying and changing needs. Coastline Elderly Services has a dietitian on staff to consult with case managers, clients and food vendors to insure that individual dietary needs are met. Over 3,750 home-delivered meals are served each week. Last year over 280,000 meals were served in Acushnet, Dartmouth , Fairhaven , Mattapoisett, Marion , New Bedford and Rochester !

Volunteer and staff drivers are assigned a route that enables them to make their deliveries as quickly as possible to ensure that they are fresh and warm. Often this visit from the driver is the only opportunity the elder has for conversation during the day. Drivers take a few minutes to check in and if other potential needs are identified, these are brought back to the attention of the Outreach Coordinators and other appropriate Staff. Drivers receive training for this program, must be at least 21 years old and undergo a strict screening check process.

Coastline Elderly Services sponsors an annual event to recognize the commitment and work of our volunteers.

In a country as prosperous as ours, none of our senior citizens should go hungry. If you or someone you know could benefit from the Meals on Wheels program, or for more information about becoming a Meals on Wheels volunteer or making a donation to the program, please call 508-999-6400. Autos, Boats and other items may be donated to us through Helping Hands of America 1-800-881-9090.