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Dear Editor;
I urge you to consider Seniors United for Nutrition (Meals on Wheels) when you are deciding where to donate at this year-end time of giving.
It is the goal of Seniors United for Nutrition that no senior ever goes hungry or is isolated in our community.
Yet, rising food costs and an increase in participation in the SUN program have driven up expenses for the program. Costs are now barely covered by the funding received from state and federal sources, plus grants, county levies, and from the diners themselves. Volunteerism and the generous donations of corporate sponsors and caring individuals like you keep SUN going.
In 2017, staff and volunteers served 46,410 meals at 12 sites in Iowa and Lafayette counties for which the volunteers contributed 5,958 hours of their own time. The volunteers' time was spent either planning, preparing, serving, or delivering meals to the homebound using their own vehicles.
SUN is currently on track to serve 50,000 meals this year. In fact, the numbers are growing every year, which shows both the success of the program and the critical need for the service.
SUN plans every meal to be nutritionally balanced, contributing to a healthy diet for seniors. The meal sites provide socialization for seniors who get to visit with friends and other community members. And those unable to get to dining sites have their meals home-delivered by drivers from the community who are able to make a quick check of their well-being.
All of these factors help keep seniors living independently and in their own homes. And the nutritious meals and socialization promote good health and potentially help prevent hospital visits and the need for nursing care.
Anyone over the age of 60-of any means-may be in need of a nourishing meal, whether homebound due to frailty, rehabilitation from surgery, or inability to drive. Suggested donations are $5.00 for meals at the site, or $5.50 for meals at home. And-no senior is ever denied service due to inability to pay.
SUN is a terrific program that saves families money in the long run by helping keep seniors healthy and in their own homes, and by extension, it helps keep communities healthy.
Remember too, that this generation of seniors once took care of us. Seeing that they are fed is a worthy and achievable goal, if not an obligation. I hope you agree, and thank you for caring...
Donations may be made to Seniors United for Nutrition, 303 W. Chapel St., Dodgeville, WI 53533.
Justin O'Brien
(Mineral Point),
Vice Chairman, SUN Board