Imagine for a moment what it would be like to live alone and be unable to leave your home without help, buy groceries or cook a meal, or to have the only voice you hear during the day be through the television set. Almost six million seniors face the threat of hunger in the United States annually. Every day there are hundreds of seniors here in Yolo County who are alone, infirm, and worry about not having enough to eat. Many elders on fixed incomes have to make the impossible decision of choosing to pay for medicine, food, or shelter.

The Elderly Nutrition Program in Yolo County, known widely as Meals on Wheels, is a private, non-profit, community benefit organization, that provided over 83,000 meals to 1100 seniors in Davis, Woodland, Winters, West Sacramento, Knights Landing, Esparto, Madison and Yolo last year. The organization serves frail, homebound elders and meals to seniors at senior centers. Meals are planned by a dietitian and meet 1/3 of the daily nutrient requirement for adults. Often, this meal is their only nutritious meal of the day.

However, ENP is more than just a meal program. For many seniors, the 400 volunteer drivers, who deliver meals to their doorsteps, provide their only contact of the day. For others, who need additional help, ENP refers them to vital services and resources. ENP conducts nutritional assessments of each homebound senior four times a year, and offers education in nutrition, falls prevention and emergency preparedness to all seniors.

To provide these critical services to senior citizens, ENP depends on the generosity and support of community members, foundations, businesses and grants from governmental sources, such as an $8,000 federal Community Development Block Grant, administered by the City of Woodland, that funded a portion of the cost of meals for 27 low income seniors in Woodland last year. Less than 30% of ENP’s annual budget comes from governmental sources.

Community members can help reach all the Yolo County seniors who worry where their next meal is coming from. To join the pledge to end senior hunger by the year 2020, by

The Elderly Nutrition Program in Yolo County

40 N. East St., Suite C  Woodland, CA 95776  (530) 662-7035

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  http://www.elderlynutrition.org/