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Date: Wednesday, July 2, 1997 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Moya Benoit Thompson (202) 401-4541
This creative project, launched by Secretary Shalala in March, is the result of an alliance between HHS' Administration on Aging (AoA) and General Mills Foodservice (GMF), a leading manufacturer of cereal and other foods. AoA and GMF have teamed up to enable 20 senior nutrition programs who operate through funds provided by the Older Americans Act to provide breakfast to homebound elders at risk of malnutrition, social isolation and health problems related to nutritional intake. Secretary Shalala said, "As our aging population grows, we know there will be an increase in the need for health and long term care services. It is critical that we look for ways to reach the most vulnerable and frail, whose very independence may rely upon their ability to care for and feed themselves. We must look to partnerships like this one with AoA and General Mills to help us improve and expand our public programs by placing greater emphasis on private sector participation."
Twenty pilot projects were selected from across the nation. In addition to their geographic diversity, the "Morning Meals on Wheels" projects will also focus on the unique needs and characteristics of ethnic, native American and minority elders, as well as those who reside in urban, suburban and rural areas. After a six-month test period, an evaluation of the "Morning Meals on Wheels" program will be conducted by the National Policy and Resource Center on Nutrition and Aging in Miami, Florida, established by AoA. This evaluation will determine best practices, identify strengths and weaknesses, provide valuable nutritional data as it relates to the participants, as well as examine how this type of program might be improved and eventually expanded nationwide.
"We know that a nutritious daily breakfast can make a tremendous difference in the physical and mental health of older Americans, and contributes to their quality of life," said William F. Benson, acting principal deputy assistant secretary for aging. "We are excited about the outcomes anticipated from the AoA/GMF 'Morning Meals on Wheels' program, and greatly appreciate the commitment and support of General Mills, as well as the continued dedication of our aging network and nutrition providers in serving older Americans."
Following is a list of the 20 selected nutrition provider Morning Meals on Wheels projects:
Bay Area Community Services Senior Nutrition Program, Oakland, Calif.;
Community Action Agency of New Haven, Inc., Team, Inc., Manna Program, New Haven, Conn.;
Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, Inc., Manatee, Fla.;
North Miami Foundation for Senior Citizen Services, Inc., North Miami, Fla.;
Mid-America Nutrition Program, Inc., Ottawa, Kan.;
Merrimack Valley Nutrition Project, Andover, Mass.;
Mystic Valley Elder Services, Inc., Malden, Mass.;
Meals for Maine/Eastern Agency on Aging, Brewer, Maine;
Mid-East Area Agency on Aging, Brentwood, Mo.;
Gallatin County Nutrition Program, Bozeman, Mont.;
Santa Clara Pueblo Senior Program, Espanola, N.M.;
Meals on Wheels of Stark and Wayne Counties, Massilion, Ohio;
Community Action Meals on Wheels, Logan, Ohio;
ACCESS Loaves and Fishes, Medford, Ore.;
Rosebud Sioux Tribe Elderly Nutrition Program, Rosebud, S.D.;
First Tennessee Human Resources Agency, Johnson City, Tenn.;
Friends of Elder Citizens, Inc., Jackson County Senior Citizens, Edna, Texas;
Amigos Del Valle, Inc., Mission, Texas;
League of Older Americans Area Agency on Aging, Roanoke, Va.;
and Senior Nutrition Program, Spokane Regional Health District, Spokane, Wash.
For more information about the AoA/GMF Morning Meals on Wheels program, please contact Jean Lloyd of the U.S. Administration on Aging at (202) 619-0011.