Advancing the Mission of Meals for ME, the Nutrition Program of the Eastern Agency on Aging
Autumn is in the air. As temperatures dipped into the 40s for the lows last month, we all know what’s coming our way. In fact, EAA’s intake office has already received calls about fuel assistance. And we are here to help with that need.
But the topic of this article is Nutrition and EAA’s Meals for ME program. It is our largest and one of our oldest programs. While you may be familiar with the program, let’s test your knowledge.
1. The program is only about food for low-income elderly.
NOT TRUE. This is not the purpose of the program and in fact, qualification to participate has nothing to do with low income. Yes, if we had waiting lists, we would have to give priority to those who needed it most, but there are no income requirements for this program.
If you are age 60 or older, you automatically qualify to have lunch in one of our 48 community dining rooms, as does your spouse regardless of age.
All we ask is that you contribute a portion of the full cost of the meal.
If you are at least 60 or disabled, unable to cook, have no way to provide yourself with a meal, can not leave your home without assistance, you probably qualify for home delivered meals.
The suggested donation is $3.00. However, you may eat at any of our community dining rooms no matter what your age if you pay for the full price of the meal.
2. Meals must be eaten at the dining rooms.
NOT TRUE. In fact, Meals for ME provides “take out” but you must make a reservation AND pay the full price of the meal which is $5.00. Per the federal regulations, meals offered at the donation level are only for those who participate in the group dining setting.
3. Meals for ME is a federal program and therefore does not really need money.
NOT TRUE. Eastern Agency on Aging has never received enough federal and state money to provide meals everyone who wants or needs it.
Meals for ME provides life support in the form of home delivered meals, and life improving options like socialization and education in the form of community dining.
EAA is dependent upon the donations from everyone who dines with us, whether home delivery client, dining room participant or volunteer.
On average, we cannot produce, package and deliver these meals to you without at least an average of a $3.00 donation from each and every person. Every dollar of every Meals for ME donation is put back into the Meals for ME program.
Those of you who donate more than the $3.00 are helping people who simply can not donate yet desperately need the meal. And for that, we thank you.
Just like every other consumer, Eastern Agency on Aging must also pay constantly rising prices for food and paper goods, which is a huge part of the program budget.
Because of Eastern Agency on Aging’s rural nature, the current cost of producing and distributing a meal averages a little over $6.00.
Not only do we depend on donations, we are extremely reliant upon the volunteers who coordinate our dining rooms, deliver meals to our homebound disabled and elderly and the multitudes of other tasks they do.
Do you want to do something really meaningful? Trust me when I say we need you and there is a volunteer opportunity in the meals program near you. Just give us a call.
On another note:
In order to make the program more cost effective, beginning in September, we are phasing out our Bangor Kitchen and will begin purchasing meals from Jeanie Marshal Foods of Bangor.
Jeanie Marshal has already been providing the meals for Lincoln and Newport with glowing feedback. The reports are very positive. Jeanie Marshal currently produces high quality meals for private jets and cruises as well as other senior programs. This partnership will help us serve the rapidly growing number of seniors in the Bangor area.
Along with wonderful new menus, we will also offer more programming to our dining rooms. An important part of the Meals for ME program must include nutrition and health education, and activities that encourage people to people socialize.
It has been proven that these options improve the health of older persons. Staying home alone is often the fast track to depression and poor dietary habits, paving the way for chronic disease.
Don’t let that happen to you, get involved now.
We are planning many informational meetings in the next year that will inform you about the locations and the schedules of our many community dining rooms.
The following prediction is staggering: statistics show that in the next ten years the number of people age 65 and older will double in the region that we serve. Eastern Agency on Aging is committed to serve everyone who needs our services, and we will do whatever is necessary to make our programs to grow.
So please, join us for a meal. Or if possible, help us serve or deliver a meal. And by all means, if you are lucky enough to be financially comfortable, please share with those who are less fortunate.
Trust me when I tell you that there will never be enough federal and state money to serve the seniors of tomorrow. And even if there were, the restrictions would be vast.
As we develop our area plan for the state in 2008, we are looking to the residents of Eastern Maine to help us keep this valuable program on track.
If you have ideas, comments or suggestions, don’t hesitate to give me a call or drop me a line. We are here to serve you.
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