Join the #SaveLunch Movement with Communities Nationwide in March

Help fight senior hunger and isolation in Hancock County

GREENFIELD, IN (March 13, 2024)Meals on Wheels of Hancock County is proud to be participate in #SaveLunch – a nationwide campaign led by Meals on Wheels America designed to rally communities around our senior neighbors and protect the essential services that enable so many to remain healthy and independent at home.

Meals on Wheels of Hancock County’s #SaveLunch participation includes activities in March to honor the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program anniversary. We’re spreading awareness and recognition of the #SaveLunch campaign at our Spring Designer Purse Bingo Bash, Thursday, March 21 at St. Michael. Meals on Wheels also hosts a visit on Wednesday, March 27 from Greenfield Mayor Guy Titus, who will present a signed Senior Nutrition Programs Proclamation as well as tour the Circle of Care nonprofit hub, the new home to Meals on Wheels of Hancock County and other service-oriented nonprofits.

“In the last several years, we have experienced an increase in the demand for our services in Hancock County — especially during COVID when we saw upwards of a 66% increase,” said Meals on Wheels Executive Director Lynda Kosh. “We have been in awe of the outpouring of support so far, and there’s still much we can do to ensure everyone in need of our vital lifeline can benefit from being well-nourished and more connected to our community through this challenging time and beyond.”

“There’s still much we can do to ensure everyone in need of our vital lifeline,” said Meals on Wheels Executive Director Lynda Kosh.

To donate locally to the #SaveLunch campaign, click here. Choose #SaveLunch under the Donor Designation to help us address, and promote awareness of, senior hunger and isolation specifically.

Meals on Wheels of Hancock County benefits the local community by aiding disabled and aging individuals to remain in their homes as long as possible.  Due to illness, disability or age, they are unable to prepare, or otherwise obtain, nutritious meals for themselves.

“We are the only meal program in the county that delivers physician-prescribed meals,” Kosh said. “That’s including therapeutic and regular diets that are individually packed based on the client’s dietary requirements.”

This month’s national #SaveLunch efforts commemorate the historic day in March of 1972 when the Older Americans Act was amended to include a nutrition program for Americans 60 years and older. More than 50 years later, 12 million older Americans are still threatened by or experience hunger, and one in three seniors feels lonely. That is why Meals on Wheels programs from across the country are joining forces to raise awareness and support to ensure we can continue to address food insecurity and malnutrition, combat social isolation, enable independence and improve health for decades to come.

“Now is an important time for us to unite to ensure that Meals on Wheels is there for all of our senior neighbors in need,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “In the face of soaring demand and costs that surpass our current resources, we need to come together as communities to bridge the gaps. I encourage you to participate by donating, volunteering or speaking out for seniors throughout March to play your part. We can’t do it alone – it takes all of us to save lunch for our seniors.”

For more information on how you can volunteer, contribute or speak out for the seniors in Hancock County this March, visit mealsonwheelsonline.org.

About Meals on Wheels of Hancock County

Meals on Wheels of Hancock County was established in 2001 in Greenfield, Indiana, to meet the needs of local senior and at-risk communities. Our mission is to help the citizens of Hancock County maintain an independent lifestyle through the delivery of nutritious meals in accordance with prescribed dietary needs, and provide a point of personal contact with the community. 

About Meals on Wheels America

Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a trusted volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety and much more. By providing funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time.

On the Road to Meet Indy Subaru Share the Love Event Dealerships

INDIANAPOLIS — On Jan. 2, 2023, Meals on Wheels of Hancock County Executive Director Lynda Kosh met with Indianapolis Subaru dealers to thank them for participating in the 2023-24 Subaru Share the Love Event. She visited Dreyer & Reinbold, Falcone Subaru, and Tom Wood Subaru, all in Indy, with cupcakes from the Confection Connection Cafe & Bakery in Greenfield.

Sharing the love with Indy Subaru dealers who help support Meals on Wheels through the Subaru Share the Love Event. Thank you to Andy Thimlar of Dreyer & Reinbold Subaru!

Our Subaru Share the Love Event with Meals on Wheels America wraps today, and we’re sharing our love for Indy dealerships! Our Executive Director, Lynda Kosh, enjoyed meeting General Manager Gary Weinbrecht at Falcone Automotive and discussing the impact of this giving event.

Fun stop at Tom Wood Subaru with surprise cupcakes from The Confection Connection Bakery to share our love for Indianapolis Subaru dealers! Thank you to Tom Wood Subaru General Manager Scott Reckley for helping foster personal and community connections through the Subaru Share the Love Event. We loved the camping set-up. We’re ready for summer!

Great Lakes Ace Hardware Grand Opening Benefits Meals on Wheels

Great Lakes Ace Hardware Greenfield Celebrating

Grand Opening Weekend – Meals on Wheels of Hancock County Benefits

Greenfield, IN March 28, 2023 – Great Lakes Ace Greenfield is celebrating the recent opening of the store located at 1240 N. State St. with a special sale / fundraiser that benefits Meals on Wheels of Hancock County. The 3-day celebration is planned for Friday, March 31 – Sunday, April 2, 2023.

Customers who donate $5.00 to the Meals on Wheels of Hancock County will receive a 5-gallon paint bucket and the opportunity to save 20% on almost everything they purchase during the celebration. Complete details of the sale are available in store. This is an opportunity to stock up on everything you need for spring projects around the house or maybe something fun for your backyard oasis. 100% of the funds collected will go directly to the Meals on Wheels of Hancock County to support feeding those served by the program.

The official Chain Cutting ceremony held in conjunction with the Greenfield Chamber of Commerce and all who would like to participate will be Friday March 31, at 9 a.m. Refreshments will be served. David Townes, manager and his team will be there to Welcome everyone in to the new store.

Friday there will be experts from a number of vendors available to answer questions and talk about

what’s available. There will be a representative from Scotts present who will be giving away a Scotts 4- Step lawn program, the Milwaukee tool rep will be there to help find everything in the mega tool department. The local Ace Handyman Services team will be there, so if you are pressed for time or overwhelmed with projects they can discuss how they might help relieve your load.

There will be prize drawings and free stuff throughout the weekend. Visit every day for a chance to win a Trager or Weber grill, Milwaukee tools and more.

If one of your projects is updating your kitchen cabinets Friday at 10am there will be a hands on demo “Bring your Door to Our Door” hosted by an expert from Benjamin Moore paint from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Bring in a cabinet door and find out how best to freshen up the finish with Benjamin Moore Paint. All demo participants will be eligible to register to win a $150 room refresh package including what you need to get that next paint project going.

On Saturday April 1, there is more excitement and free stuff. The first 50 customers to visit with a dull knife will get one free knife sharpening. Bring in a dull kitchen knife and see how quick and easy it is with the Great Lakes Ace knife ReSharp program.

In the afternoon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m,, your helpful experts at Greenfield Great Lakes Ace will be holding an Outdoor Power demo. Just in time for those spring yard clean up chores customers will have a chance to experience the power and agility of the dreamed about, EGO, DeWalt or Milwaukee outdoor power tools.

For those shopping for their next backyard BBQ there will be grill demos all weekend. Sunday the expert from Big Green Egg will be showing the versatility and taste of food prepared on a Big Green Egg.

David and his team want to invite the entire neighborhood in to celebrate. “It is a pleasure to serve our neighbors in Greenfield as a neighbor, employer and trusted source for reliable advice assisting our customers get everything they need to complete their projects.” explains Townes.

Visit https://www.greatlakesace.com/events/great-lakes-ace-hardware-greenfield-in-grand-opening/ for more details. Great Lakes Ace Hardware operates 64 locations in neighborhoods in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. Offering helpful advice, personal service, nationally recognized brands and essential household services such as screen repair propane services and many other household services.

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Funding Helps Meals on Wheels Anchor New Circle of Care Nonprofit Hub

American Rescue Plan Award Supports Synergistic Direct-service Collaboration

GREENFIELD, IN – Meals on Wheels of Hancock County has robust plans for the nearly $730,000 in American Rescue Plan funds recently designated to help local nonprofits post-COVID-19.

As part of a $15 million award provided to Hancock County through the American Rescue Plan grant, the near-quarter-of-a-million-dollar funding empowers Meals on Wheels to collaborate with the Hancock County Community Foundation. The social service nonprofits teamed up to create the Circle of Care nonprofit hub, whereas Meals on Wheels will hold the title to HCCF’s current property at 312 E. Main St., Greenfield, as the anchor organization starting in 2023.

Meals on Wheels was recently awarded the gift, valued at $550,000. at the HCCF’s annual gala in November. Executive Director Lynda Kosh graciously accepted alongside Board Chair Andy Turner, and serving board members and staff in attendance.

“I am full of heartfelt gratitude and overwhelmed with emotion as the Circle of Care vision begins to take shape in reality,” Kosh said. “It is an honor to have the work of Meals on Wheels, and our staff, board and army of volunteers to be recognized in this manner.”

Kosh said Meals on Wheels will provide leadership for other Hancock County social service nonprofits to be housed in the new Circle of Care center in 2023. Families United for Support and Encouragement (FUSE), Hancock County Children’s Choir, Hancock County Firefly, Hancock County Leaders in Navigating Knowledge, Healthy 365 and WorkOne will join the hub.

“We are well able and up for the task to work alongside our nonprofit partners to provide much-needed services and care to our families, friends and neighbors of Hancock County in a shared, inviting and collaborative location,” Kosh said.

Meals on Wheels of Hancock County, which moved to the 312 E. Main St. location at the end of summer 2022, will manage the Circle of Care collaboration. Immediate duties include renovating the building into an accessible, collaborative nonprofit center. Kosh said the hub allows for multiple direct-service providers to create nonprofit synergy. This helps shrink barriers and creates “transformational opportunities” for the Hancock County community in one convenient location, with accessibility for clients with disabilities.

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About Meals on Wheels of Hancock County

Meals on Wheels of Hancock County was established in 2001 in Greenfield, Ind., to meet the needs of local aging and at-risk communities. The nonprofit’s mission is to help the citizens of Hancock County maintain an independent lifestyle through the delivery of nutritious meals in accordance with prescribed dietary needs, and provide a point of personal contact with the community.