To quote Mr. Howler, that one sure made my eyeballs sweat. Those are just things I forget about when thinking of people who might be struggling. Shame on me.
Do we have a local Meals on Wheels? Are they struggling? Is there one especially for veterans?
Thank you Rolling Thunder! I love that ROAR on Memorial Day.
Most Rolling Thunder vets beam when you thank them for their service.
Ray Beverage could probably tell you more, but yes, there’s local Meals on Wheels through the Prince William Area Agency on Aging 703-792-6374, http://www.pwcgov.org/aoa
Rolling Thunder rocks!
Yes, Moon, the folks who receive Meals on Wheels (MOW) are our Older Virginians (most of them age 75 and older) who are either Extremley Low, Low, or Middle Income…all either at or below $36,000 a year income…with the majority below the Poverty Level line of $21,000. To be eligible for MOW, you have to be age 60 or over, have the income mentioned, and all are receiving some kind of in-home service through the Prince William Area Agency on Aging (serving the County and the two Cities, hence “Prince William Area” in the name).
As for Veterans, they can receive MOW if younger than Age 60 if they are enrolled through the Veterans Administration in the Veteran Directed Home & Community-Based Services (VDHCBS) Program, or in the Aid & Attendance Program. Right now, there are several Veterans receiving it because the are over age 60, and no younger Veteran (yet!) because those young men live with family who are taking care of them.
The Area Agency on Aging delivers over 100 MOW a day. In FY 2010 we had 19,230 meals distributed. For FY 2011 the Budget Target is 21,000. This program is paid for out of money from the three local governments, and some from the Feds. As much as possible, fresh produce in season as part of “Virginia Grows” is used.
MOW also has plan in place for when meals cannot be delivered (such as heavy snow days). When that happens, the folks receive a three-day supply of shelf-stable meals (all commercial products – not MRE style foods). These stable meals are designed for minimum preparation a person could either use a stove top or microwave to heat.
The two Senior Centers also offer the Congregate Meal Program Monday thru Friday. A person age 60 and over can eat free through this USDA Program (although donations are accepted, but not required). We served over 17,800 meals in FY2010, and the budget for FY2011 was a target of 21,000.
Often, the Congregate Meal and MOW menu is the same. And having eaten at both Senior Centers when the Commission on Aging meets at them, the food is pretty good. Of course, only just turning age 55, I have to pay $5.75 for the lunch 🙂
The Area Agency on Aging is always looking for volunteer drivers for MOW. (Just a plug at the end here 🙂 )
Thanks for that information.
That is a great service. What about people who are disabled? Like shut ins? Do they get the service?
I used to deliver MOW in the 90’s in the Herndon/Reston area. It’squite a rewarding experience, but sad at times. We delivered meals to several young people with AIDS and other terminal illnesses.
Raymond,
You are wealth of information, sir.
@Laf, he certainly is a wealth of information and a valuable asset to this blog!! Fabulous Memorial Day to both of you.
Moon, at present, MOW is as I wrote above. If over 60 and disabled, they get the service. For the disabled community under age 60, we have the Independence Empowerment Center – Center for Independent Living (IEC-CIL). There are 16 CILs in Virginia, and as we evolve the Aging & Disability Resource Centers where Aging Agencies and CILs work closer together, I forsee MOW expanding.
At present, the CILs do have means for providing an equavilent service through coordinating Personal Assistance Services.