Each March, the Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging (NEI3A) works with local elected officials and community leaders to help bring awareness to the home-delivered meal program and the need for volunteers to help deliver meals.

On Thursday, March 17, Tama Mayor Doug Ray, Toledo Mayor Brian Sokol and Tama County Public Health Director and NEI3A Board member Shannon Zoffka participated in this recognition program by delivering meals to the community.

Our nation’s senior population is growing exponentially, outpacing the resources available to serve vulnerable older adults and putting their health and well-being in jeopardy. Meals on Wheels programs, like NEI3A’s home-delivered meals, effectively address aging challenges by promoting health and improving the quality of life for at-risk seniors.

Through these programs, we have the opportunity to keep seniors healthy and independent at home, where they want to be, and save billions in tax dollars by keeping them out of more costly healthcare alternatives.

NEI3A, working with dedicated volunteers, local restaurants, and vendors, delivered 295,181 meals to older Iowans last year. With approximately 30% of individuals at 65 and over living alone in the NEI3A service area, many individuals are at risk of social isolation. Our volunteers deliver more than just a nutritious meal; they also provide a vital lifeline and connection to the community, which are sometimes all it takes to help these older individuals remain independent.