Meals on Wheels Community Champions Week is Here!

Meals

 

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Ca. — Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County (MOW), a program of Community Bridges, is participating in Community Champions Week, March 22-26, 2021. This event invites community leaders to participate in this nationwide campaign to raise awareness for services that give voice to seniors experiencing isolation, food insecurity and poverty. 

Many Santa Cruz County elected officials have participated in past years by going on a delivery route or helping to serve meals at one of our senior dining sites. This year, MOW has adapted the event to ensure the all public health guidelines and safety protocols are followed.

 Participants will caravan in their own personal vehicles following experienced volunteers on delivery routes and meet seniors outside their homes. 

The following elected officials will be participating in the 2021 Community Champions week: Jack Dilles, Scotts Valley Mayor; Yvette Brooks, Capitola City Councilmember; Sandy Brown, Santa Cruz City Councilmember; Watsonville City Councilmembers Aurelio Gonzalez and Eduardo Montesino; and Rudy Lopez Sr., Watsonville Fire Chief. Sandy Brown will be participating in distribution of meals to houseless seniors at Louden Nelson Community Center at 11:15am on Thursday, March 25. In addition, MOW will be distributing a letter of appreciation from Zach Friend, Second District Supervisor, to his constituents in lieu of in person visits. 

With senior dining sites closed and seniors needing to follow the stay-at-home orders, the number of seniors receiving home delivered meals increased rapidly, from the 395 seniors in February 2020 to nearly 700 seniors in May 2020. The program also added an additional breakfast meal to all deliveries during the past year. 

Community Champions Week is a nationwide campaign by Meals on Wheels America to increase awareness and encourage support for senior nutrition needs and services. Participating organizations seek to highlight the importance of good nutrition and caring human contact on the lives of seniors in our community. 

ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS FOR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY 

Since 1976, Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County, a program of Community Bridges, has served nearly 10 million meals to 65,000 local seniors in need. Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County serves 1,600 seniors in need each year with nutritious meals and caring human contact. The tireless work of this program— supported by a dedicated army of 200 volunteers—allows thousands of Santa Cruz County residents to remain healthy, safe, and independent in their own homes. 

ABOUT COMMUNITY BRIDGES 

Community Bridges envisions a thriving community where every person has the opportunity to unleash their full potential. Together, our family of programs delivers essential services, provides equitable access to resources, and advocates for health and dignity across every stage of life. To learn more, please visit www.communitybridges.org. The Community Bridges family of programs includes the Child & Adult Care Food Program, Child Development Division, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), La Manzana Community Resources, Live Oak Community Resources, Mountain Community Resources, Nueva Vista Community Resources, Elderday Adult Day Health Care, Lift Line and Meals on Wheels for Santa Cruz County. 

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 isolation and hunger. This network serves virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education, research and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

Today, we celebrate the incredible women who make our world brighter—every mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, colleague, and friend. To the women in our organization and beyond, your strength 💪, wisdom, and resilience inspire us every day. Thank you for the love, dedication, and passion you bring to everything you do. Happy International Women’s Day to all the amazing women making a difference in our lives! 💜 #WomensDay #EmpowerHer #WomenOfStrength ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) is dedicated to helping families thrive by providing crucial nutrition support. With the help of WIC, over 6,500 families are receiving food vouchers and guidance that make a real difference in their lives. Let’s come together to ensure that no family goes hungry and that every child has the chance to grow up healthy and strong. 💚In light of the uncertainty around federal funding for programs like WIC, your support is more important than ever. By donating, you're not just providing immediate relief, but investing in the long-term resilience of our communities. Together, we can build a stronger, more sustainable future for those in need.How You Can Help:💰 Donate: Your generous contributions make a direct impact on families in need. Every donation helps provide essential food and nutrition education to those who need it most. Communitybridges.org/national-nutrition-month 🙌 Volunteer: Give back to support families in your community. Volunteers help with everything from organizing food distributions to providing support and resources. Communitybridges.org/volunteer 📢 Share this post & spread awareness: The more people who know, the more families we can help! Help us amplify our mission and encourage others to get involved.Together, we have the power to fight hunger, nourish our future, and uplift our community. 💪 Every action, no matter how small, makes a difference. Will you join us in making a lasting impact for women, infants, and children? ✨#WIC #NationalNutritionMonth #FightHunger #CommunityBridges #NoOneGoesHungry #Donate ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

5 days ago

Community Bridges / Puentes De La Comunidad
Community Bridges / Puentes De La Comunidad's cover photo ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
This National Nutrition Month, we’re committed to ensuring every woman, infant, and child has access to the nutritious food they deserve. As food prices rise and federal funding faces uncertainty, we need your support more than ever. 🍎🥦For over 50 years, WIC has been a vital part of our nation’s nutrition safety net, providing nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, education, and healthcare referrals to low-income families. WIC provides guidance and food vouchers for 6,500 families, playing a key role in improving lifelong health for women, infants, and children. 👩‍👧‍👦The need has never been greater. As food prices continue to rise and resources become more limited, families face increasing challenges in accessing the nutrition they need. Despite these obstacles, WIC is making a powerful impact—providing essential guidance, food vouchers, and support to thousands of families.Together, we’re fighting hunger and building a healthier, stronger future for families across our community. 💚 #WIC #NationalNutritionMonth #FightHunger #CommunityBridges #NoOneGoesHungry ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
📢 Join Us in Nourishing Our Community! 🍎🥦Good food fuels strong communities! This National Nutrition Month, we’re taking action to ensure every child, family, and senior in our region has access to healthy meals—but we can’t do it alone.📈 Grocery prices have risen 25% since the pandemic, leaving many struggling to put food on the table. Seniors on fixed incomes are skipping meals. Childcare providers are working hard to provide balanced meals, but the cost of food keeps rising.At the same time, federal funding uncertainties threaten the future of essential nutrition programs. That’s why we’re raising $20,000 this month to keep food on our neighbors' tables.Where Your Donation Goes: 🍽 Healthy Meals for Kids – Supporting 4,716 children through childcare meal programs 🥫 Food Distributions for Families – 10,000+ bags of food delivered last year 🚚 Meals on Wheels for Seniors – 1,700 seniors rely on us for daily nutrition 👩‍👧 Nutrition Support for Families – WIC provides guidance & food vouchers for 6,500 familiesHow You Can Help: 💰 Donate: Communitybridges.org/national-nutrition-month 🙌 Volunteer: communitybridges.org/volunteer 📢 Share this post & spread awareness!Together, we can fight hunger and nourish our community. Will you join us? 💚 ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook