Age Well rallies to support older Vermonters in the March for Meals movement

Published by Vermont Business Magazine, on March 3, 2025

Your support will help combat food insecurity and isolation in Vermont’s aging population. Together, we can deliver! 

VermontBiz Age Well is excited to announce its participation in the 23rd annual March for Meals, a nationwide campaign led by Meals on Wheels of America. This inspiring movement brings together communities across the country to support our aging neighbors and help them maintain their health and independence at home. As Vermont’s largest provider of Meals on Wheels, Age Well delivers over 300,000 meals each year, addressing food insecurity, malnutrition, and social isolation, while fostering the overall well-being of thousands in our community. 

“Age Well is so much more than a meal provider – we are a lifeline to older adults in Northwestern Vermont,” said Sara Wool, Chief Advancement Officer at Age Well. “The rising cost of food, coupled with the growing need for home-delivered meals, makes our programs more important than ever. Meals on Wheels can serve a senior for an entire year for about the same cost as just one day in a hospital or 10 days in a nursing home. We are deeply grateful for the community’s support, but there is still much more to do to ensure every individual in need gets access to these vital services. Together, we can help our older neighbors stay healthy, nourished, and remain in their homes, where they truly wish to be.” 

Age Well’s Meals on Wheels is an essential part of a comprehensive support system, offering not only nutritious meal delivery, but also friendly visits and safety checks. This combination of services helps to reduce healthcare utilization and costs, prevent falls, reduce social isolation, and improve seniors’ ability to age in place. Meals on Wheels is an evidenced-based program proven to reduce food insecurity and improve health, enabling seniors to live independently and safely at home. 

The History of Meals on Wheels: A Global Legacy 

Meals on Wheels has a long and compassionate history dating back to World War II. In the UK, many individuals found themselves without homes or the means to cook due to the devastation caused by the war. The Women’s Volunteer Service of Great Britain stepped in to cook and deliver meals to these vulnerable individuals. British restaurants also donated food to support this effort. The first official delivery took place in 1943, and volunteers used prams, carts, bicycles, and cars to deliver meals, ultimately earning the name “Meals on Wheels.” This early model of volunteer-driven meal delivery laid the foundation for Meals on Wheels programs around the world, including right here in Vermont. 

March for Meals and the Older Americans Act 

The March for Meals celebration honors the landmark moment in March 1972 when President Nixon signed the Older Americans Act Amendments into law, creating a national nutrition program for seniors 60 and older. This federal support has been the foundation for Meals on Wheels programs nationwide, fueling their growth for more than 50 years. As Vermont’s aging population continues to grow, Age Well’s role in supporting our community is more important than ever. With an increasing number of individuals in need, it is critical that programs like Meals on Wheels remain strong and sustainable. We are hopeful that this will continue, and with community support, we will continue to meet the growing need. 

Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America, stresses the importance of collective action during this time of heightened demand. “As we face soaring demand and rising costs, it’s more important than ever for communities to come together to support Meals on Wheels,” said Hollander. “We encourage everyone to donate, volunteer, or speak out for seniors in March. It’s going to take all of us to ensure Meals on Wheels continues to meet the growing need.” 

Age Well’s Meals on Wheels program is made possible through the generosity of community members, local businesses, partner organizations, and more than 1,000 dedicated volunteers. To learn more about how you can support March for Meals and help ensure that no older Vermonter goes without this essential support, please visit https://www.agewellvt.org/giving-back/march-for-meals/. 

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