Meals On Wheels Atlanta Fights Hunger at Georgia State Capitol

Meals On Wheels Atlanta, a program of Senior Citizen Services of Metropolitan Atlanta (SCS), will join with dozens of other meal-on-wheels providers across the state to talk to state legislators about the alarming senior hunger rates. Jeffrey Smythe, SCS Executive Director, will be taking seniors to the State Capitol on February 23rd as a part of the newly formed Meals On Wheels Association of Georgia.

Older Georgians ranked 6th in the nation for the prevalence of food insecurity between 2001 and 2007 and food insecurity is expected to increase because of the current economic recession across the nation. Furthermore, 138,000 meals across the state are at risk for cuts, which could, in turn, risk federal funds for meals on wheels and congregate meals programs.

Under the auspices of the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), the Meals On Wheels Association of Georgia is a non-profit, statewide network of senior nutrition providers allied in the battle to end senior hunger.

“State and federal funding for senior programs is decreasing,” said Jeffrey Smythe. “At the same time, Meals On Wheels programs across Georgia are seeing an increase in demand. Statewide waiting lists are growing each day.”

Meals On Wheels Atlanta is proud to be a founding member of the statewide organization and will participate in several activities during Senior Week at the Capitol February 21-25, 2011. MOWAG was created to strengthen communication between nutrition programs and enhance knowledge of topical issues within the aging population. The Meals On Wheels Association of Georgia strives to fulfill the national goals set forth by MOWAA on a state wide basis.

Walking Improves Memory

A study published in January 31st indicates that walking can improve memory. Read more here.

Seniors in the Fulton County Neighborhood Seniors Centers in Atlanta are “walking to Seattle.” Walking clubs have been formed in each center and seniors are counting their steps. Each senior client participating in the walking club wears a pedometer provided by Kaiser Permanente which records every step taken each day.

So far, the seniors have walked more than 500 miles since beginning the project in September. Their goal is to “reach” Seattle by this summer.

Seniors in Seattle are also walking to Atlanta. At the end of the journey, the Neighborhood Senior Centers will host a video conference with their counterparts on the west coast.