Celebrating the March of Meals with Copper Shores Meals on Wheels

Over the last couple of weeks, Copper Shores Meals on Wheels has celebrated the March of Meals. The month commemorates the passing of the Older Americans Act in 1965 which developed several programs to support seniors. In 1972 the act was updated to include a nutritional component, that created many Meals on Wheels programs throughout the country.

“It was initially started under the hospital, and it’s been in existence here, in this Meals on Wheels delivery program for over 32 years. Most recently it was called Copper Country Senior Meals, which a lot of people might be familiar with. And then just in the last year, we changed over to Copper Shores Meals on Wheels. A lot of people associate the name Meals on Wheels with exactly what we do, delivering meals to people who are homebound and to seniors over age 60. who could use that extra assistance with getting a nutritious meal.” – Kathleen Harter, Program Director, Copper Shores Meals on Wheels

Copper Shores Meals on Wheels in recent years has used USDA grant funds to support increasing the amount of local produce and foods in meals. Since then the group’s volunteers have been able to deliver healthy, fresh, and hot meals to seniors, while also expanding their delivery range.

“It’s just been such a win-win for everybody. The kitchen smells great, you’re processing, things that were just harvested the day before, you’re getting this peak nutritional food out to the seniors and it’s helping support local growers and it’s helping support local farmers who can maybe plant extra rows, maybe get some extra farming equipment and so it becomes this circle. impact of staying in the community and producing great meals that have fantastic flavor that the seniors love.” – Kathleen Harter, Program Director, Copper Shores Meals on Wheels

In addition to delivering meals to seniors in the Copper Country Copper Shores Meals on Wheels, offers congregate sites for seniors willing to travel. The locations offered throughout the Keweenaw Peninsula, are centers of friendship and community. Where seniors can see friends, enjoy a delicious meal, and enjoy some local entertainment.

“And we’re rebranding that as well. We’re looking for naming suggestions. But basically what that means is people come together in a social setting at a set place, same time, every day, to gather together and share a meal. And it’s an enhanced and great social opportunity that people get to share. And a lot of people, again, have had spouses that have passed away. And these have become lifelong friends. And so to be able to share in that meal every day is just a great way to stay connected.” – Kathleen Harter, Program Director, Copper Shores Meals on Wheels

Copper Shores Meals on Wheels receives about a quarter of the organization’s funding from the USDA grant, equal to about 250,000 dollars. It also uses about 180,000 dollars in donations, a majority coming from seniors participating in a suggested donation of 4 dollars per meal. Meals on Wheels’ other funding to support the programs comes from the main foundation, Copper Shores Community Health.

Tomorrow Meals on Wheels will host an open house at one of its congregate sites for the community to join seniors and first hand see the impact of the older Americans act in the local area. Those interested in enjoying a meal with the seniors are asked to call the program’s Hancock office to RSVP. Then on Saturday, the Calumet Wolverines will hold a chuck-a-puck fundraiser for Meals on Wheels during the team’s match against the Marquette Mutineers. Tickets for the game are five dollars for adults, three dollars for seniors and students. Find more details about the open house and the chuck-a-puck fundraiser below.

Congregate Meal Site Open House

Calumet Wolverines v Marquette Muitineers Chuck-a-puck fundraiser for Meals on Wheels