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![]() At one time, we volunteered with our local home-delivered meals program that served Ellis County through the Ellis County Committee on Aging. This program is no longer in place but we still support meal programs. While not directly afflilliated with the national Meals on Wheels, it served in a similar capacity.
The Meals on Wheels Association of America reports:When low income is compounded with poor health, even more seniors have difficulty obtaining an adequate amount of food. 12.9%, or 4.9 million seniors, have incomes below the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty threshold; another 14% are considered poor, and are by all practical means financially disadvantaged. Although means tests are prohibited, it is estimated that one-third of congregate participants and nearly one-half of home delivered participants have family incomes below 100% of the poverty threshold. The growth in elderly population numbers in the United States continues, increasing the demand for meal services. During the past century, the number of people over 65 has increased elevenfold, compared to a threefold for those under 65. Furthermore, the Census Bureau projects that the elderly population in the United States will total 80 million people by the year 2050. Those age 85 and older, the oldest age group, are the most rapidly growing and will represent one-quarter of all elderly by 2050. If we consider that this oldest age group currently represents over 26% of home-delivered meals participants, it is easy to forecast that as the total numbers of elderly increase, so will the strain on the already scarce resources of nutritional programs available to them.
MOW home-delivered and congregate meal programs help insure the nutritional well being of the nation's elderly and disabled, helping millions to live healthier, happier, and more independent lives. We urge you to consider donating time or money to your local MOW program! (DFW area featured) 1440 W. Mockingbird Ln. Suite 500 Dallas, TX 75247 214-689-2639
Meals on Wheels (Collin County) ................ Last updated July 25, 2005 Background graphics, layout and original content copyright ©1999, 2000, 2001 by Glenhardin Web Design for Glenhardin Farm. All illustrative graphics on this page are from Printmaster Gold 8.0 and used according to individual registered license and have been changed from original format.
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