The Alternative Press

NEWTON, NJ – As part of Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), and the National March For Meals campaign through March 31, Sussex County Meals on Wheels coordinated Mayors For Meals Day yesterday.

The event took place nationwide throughout the United States and Canada, with mayors and other elected officials delivering meals to the homebound across North America.

Local efforts were mobilized from the Sussex County Adult Day Care Center on Mill Street in Newton, where volunteers grabbed coolers packed with individual trays of meatloaf, and other items to distribute to those in need within different parts of the county.

“It’s a nice and different friendly face today,” said Linda Ward, Assistant Executive Director of Catholic Family & Community Services, the group that helps run Sussex County Meals on Wheels.

Ward said what was special about this year is March For Meals celebrates the 40^th Anniversary of the Senior Nutrition Programs within the Older Americans Act (OAA). This legislation ensures nutritional services are provided to Americans ages 60 and up.

Andover Township Mayor Michael Lensak was on one of the teams dispatched. Lensak was paired with Scott Milliken, the Executive Director at the Diocese of Paterson.

“It was an eye opening experience, and amazing to see the faces and realize one in nine seniors suffer from nutritional deficiencies,” Lensak said.

Lensak credited the volunteers who deliver meals to shut-ins on a regular basis.

“It opens your eyes to see a lot of people out there suffering, you bring them a meal and it makes you feel good,” added Milliken.

Lensak and Milliken delivered meals to four separate clients within Newton; one asked to have her’s left in a cooler outside her door, another was not home, and, the last two opened the door to their visitors with smiles.

“I met a lot of cute little senior citizen ladies with nice smiles, it was fun, and they were all younger ladies,” grinned Sussex County Board of Chosen Freeholders Freeholder Member Richard Vohden. Vohden, a senior citizen himself received the Green Township Older American Award in 2004, and served as a member of the US Army, Combat Engineer, serving from 1955 to 1958.

“It’s an enlightening experience,” said Deputy Mayor of Hampton Township, Don Coronado. “It’s sad to see people who need this help. Thank God they have this help.”

“It was a wonderful experience, I learned great things about the program,” said Sandra Diglio, Deputy Mayor for the Town of Newton. “I have a very special heart for the disabled and seniors.”

The Sussex County Adult Day Care Center provides care during the week and recreational activities for seniors. Limited transportation is also available from 7:30am to 5:00pm.

For more information about the Sussex County Meals on Wheels Program, call (973) 209-0123 or email: cfcsmow@embarqmail.com.

Click here to access the Sussex County Division of Senior Services webpage, for information, and the county’s Resource Directory.