From the President’s Corner – Meals on Wheels is a Focus for JWC of Raleigh

As the 2013-2014 President of the Junior Woman’s Club of Raleigh, I had to decide on a President’s Project that would help focus the work of our Club and make a difference in our community. It was not an easy task given there are so many worthy organizations within our area. I discussed this with a couple of members with regards to which direction I should go and the mutual sentiment was “Pick the one you’re passionate about because with your passion will come enthusiasm and that enthusiasm, as our leader, will reinforce our commitment to the project.”

Each morning we all wake up, prepare for our day ahead and within that day, most of us, without a lot of thought, eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with an occasional snack or two. We do this with little concern of “if” we’ll eat and more of “when” we’ll eat. A critical necessity to a healthy life is nutrition. The intake of vital nutrients is essential to maintain good health.

1 in 7 Seniors is threatened by hunger; 8.8 percent of Seniors living alone are food insecure; North Carolina is in the top 10 states for Seniors with food insecurities.  These are astounding statistics regarding our aging population. There are circumstances that will always be present that prohibit or inhibit an individual’s ability to provide food for one’s self. The factors may be lack of resources, lack of mobility, lack of access to food, a poor health condition, isolation-both social & emotional or any number of reasons. The elderly have always been near and dear to my heart and knowing that our club could have a meaningful impact on the problem of Senior Hunger, I have chosen Meals on Wheels as my President’s Project. Meals on Wheels of Wake County was formed in 1974 and has been providing nutritious meals to the homebound elderly and persons with disabilities in Wake County in an effort to improve health, reduce isolation and prevent unnecessary institutionalization. They serve 1,300 meals per day in Wake County with the imminent danger of losing funding for 12,000 meals per year due to the budget cuts. When a volunteer delivers a meal to a homebound recipient, they are not just providing a meal, but they are also providing a visit and check-up. For so many of the recipients this is the only contact they have with others. The service brings comfort and hope to the lives of the many isolated elderly.  Check out this video that speaks about Meals on Wheels – JWC Raleigh

I’m excited about the year ahead and seeing how our members give of their “gifts” for Meals on Wheels and the many other organizations our Club serves, and I am thrilled to share the journey with all of you.  See you at our first General Meeting Sept 10, 7pm and the Woman’s Club of Raleigh.   -Ashley Rain