- Local leaders in Utah joined Meals on Wheels' March for Meals campaign.
- Meals on Wheels delivers meals to over 650 seniors daily in three counties.
- Lehi Mayor Paul Binns and volunteers highlighted the program's impact on senior hunger awareness.
LEHI — Local Utah leaders joined Meals on Wheels this month for the annual March for Meals campaign.
It's part of a national initiative started by Meals on Wheels of America that gives elected officials and community figures the opportunity to personally deliver meals to homebound seniors.
The Mountainland Association of Governments, which oversees Meals on Wheels in Utah, Wasatch and Summit counties, said it delivers to more than 650 senior Utahns each day. Around 300 additional seniors currently sit on a waiting list, and demand only continues to grow.
Wilma Hofheins, of Lehi, is one of nearly 50 seniors in the community who receives a daily meal from the program. Hofheins had been getting meals delivered to her previous home in Mapleton before moving to Lehi a little more than a year ago.
"I like (that) the food is prepared, and I don't have to open my refrigerator and decide what to cook," she said.
Aside from a nutritious meal, Hofheins appreciates the daily visit from Meals on Wheels volunteers who make the deliveries.
"We had the Rotary Club (of Lehi) deliver here for a while, and I got to learn and meet a lot of nice gentlemen — they were fun," she said.
On Wednesday, her meal was delivered by Lehi Mayor Paul Binns, who also took time to sit and chat with Hofheins for several minutes.
The visit was not only a treat for Hofheins, but also for Binns, who noted the importance of being able to connect with seniors one-on-one.
"I'm very thankful for this opportunity to go and meet such a wonderful lady and provide sustenance that will continue to bless her life," he said. "That was awesome; I would consider doing this in the future."
Binns also praised the efforts of volunteers like Jason Rawlins, who the mayor joined for the Wednesday deliveries.
Rawlins said he'd been looking for places to volunteer his time, and Meals on Wheels piqued his interest.
"My mom's getting older now, and she needs support, and so I've always been interested in how elderly people are taken care of, so I thought this would be a great opportunity," he said.
Rawlins said during the two years he's been volunteering with Meals on Wheels, he's built some meaningful connections with seniors along his route.
"A couple of them (are) really special; you sit down, and they'll tell you about their life," he said.
Binns called the efforts of both Mountainland Association of Governments and its volunteers nothing short of remarkable.
"I think it's a win-win every way you look," he said.
Binns is one of 23 mayors and community leaders across the three counties who rode along with volunteer drivers during March to deliver meals within the communities they represent.
Stephanie Benson, communications coordinator for Mountainland Association of Governments, said joining volunteers on the different routes allow local officials to see the impact of Meals on Wheels in their communities.
"We get some great awareness from having them attend as well," she told KSL. "It's really fun for the seniors — it just feels nice to have somebody who takes the time out of their day to come and spend time with them."
March for Meals commemorates March 1972, when President Richard Nixon signed an amendment to the Older Americans Act to establish a national senior nutrition program.
"Seeing our elected officials out on the routes delivering meals is a powerful reminder of how much community support means to the seniors we serve," said Jimmy Golding, co-director of the aging and family services department at Mountainland Association of Governments, in a statement.
While March may be coming to an end, the fight against senior hunger remains ongoing.
Benson said people and businesses can get involved by making a financial contribution or volunteering. People can also help just by simply spreading awareness about the program.
"Share our stories, share if they see it on social media, so that we can have more people be aware of Meals on Wheels in their community," she said.
