Each year, Meals For The Elderly participates in the national March For Meals campaign. March For Meals is a campaign that takes place during the month of March, because it was during this month that the law was enacted that included senior meal programs in the Older Americans Act. While this act does not affect programs like Meals For The Elderly (because we are NOT a government agency), it does provide much-needed support for programs in other areas. 

The purpose of the campaign is three-fold: 1) to increase awareness of senior hunger in America, and particularly in our community, 2) to increase funding for local meal delivery programs to combat senior hunger, and 3) to increase the number of volunteers during this month to help with our local program.

After the completion of the campaign, meal programs from across the nation have the opportunity to apply for a grant based on their campaign. Meals For The Elderly is proud to annouce that our campaign last year won us a $2,600 grant from the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA). This is the highest amount given, and only a handful of organizations are recognized with this award.

This year's campaign included the following initiatives:

• March 28th: Rosas Gives Back to Seniors
  (4335 Knickerbocker location only)
  From 11am-8:30pm, we will be receiving a portion of the sales of Rosas' customers who have a flyer or tell their cashier they want to support Meals For The Elderly. Drive thru or dine in, it all counts if you make it count. Just tell them you love Meals For The Elderly. You can help feed a senior just by feeding yourself. 

• Throughout March: Curves Canned Good Drive
  Curves is helping us and helping women get fit, with their newest incentive for joining. Donate $30 or $30 value of canned goods, and your $90 ENROLLMENT FEE is waived. That's $0 to enroll if you help out our organization. With a central location, great hours, and proven results, why not give them a call? Call 325-223-5977 to set up an appointment, or head to 3544 Knickerbocker Road.

• March 16-17th: 39th Greater San Angelo Crafts Guild
  From 10am-5pm (Saturday) and 12pm-4pm (Sunday) at the Wells Fargo Pavillion (50 E. 34th Street), come shop, eat and enjoy fun and friendship at the craft guild. Handcrafted items of all kinds will be on sale and if you BRING CANNED GOODS FOR MEALS FOR THE ELDERLY you will receive an EXTRA TICKET for the hourly drawings. I like those odds! Celebrate craftiness and help feed some hungry seniors. What a great combination! 
   
• Throughout March: School Canned Good Drives
  Schools across the Concho Valley will collected canned goods for our program.     
   
• Throughout March: Businesses & Club Canned Good Drives
  Businesses and clubs all across the Concho Valley will collect canned goods for our program. Check back as businesses sign on for an up-to-date list of all participating locations. Drop-offs include: All 3 locations of Texas State Bank, Wells Fargo Advisors, Rio Concho Catering.    
  
  
  Texas State Bank 
  Contact: Cindy Ringer
  (325)949-3721
  All 3 Locations Participating: 
  
   2201 Sherwood Way
  4206 College Hills
  1815 N. Chadbourne St. 
  
   Wells Fargo Advisors
   2113 Knickerbocker Rd.
   (325)224-3333
   Contact: Dean McInturff  
  
  Rio Concho Catering
  4132 Sunset Drive
  (325)617-7805
  Contact: Alex Cunningham 
     
                                                                                            
• Throughout March: Walgreens Drive For Seniors
  During March, Walgreens on S. Abe will give their customers the chance to buy special treats to donate to our precious clients! Please say "YES" at the register when they ask if you would like to donate. We are so grateful for the chance to give our homebound clients a special treat "just because," but we can't do it without you!      
   

• March 20: Mayors For Meals Day
  Our Mayor, Alvin New, and other elected officials will deliver meals alongside our faithful volunteers to see first-hand the impact that our program has on the homebound elderly who depend on us.
• March 4-15: Heroes Against Hunger
   
• Local military, firemen, and law enforcement personnel will be delivering some of our  routes throughout these two weeks of March to support our effort to end senior hunger  in the Concho Valley. 

• Throughout March & April: Concho Cruises Feed The Elderly Campaign       
  Concho Cruises wants to help feed hungry seniors and will be donating 20% of their sales during the month of March, continuing their Feed The Elderly campaign. Call Captain Danny TODAY for your next special event, or special night out. Call 325-481-3210 or email conchocruises@yahoo.com. 
  
   
• Throughout March: Maurices Stands Against Senior Hunger
  Maurices Clothing store will be giving 20% off a regularly priced item for 3 canned goods during the month of March. Spring is here and with this deal, you should have NO problem kicking the winter blues and stepping out in all the latest spring fashions... all the while helping us feed homebound seniors! WIN WIN!
   
• Throughout March, April & May: Park University's Fight Against Hunger Food Drive
  If you are a Park University student enrolled for classes this semester ( March 18th-May 10th), you REALLY need to take part in this opportunity to give AND receive! If you donate 10 cans of food to help feed hungry seniors, your friendly Park University staff will GIVE you an awesome t-shirt.... got a bigger donation in mind? 25 cans will make you eligible for the latest Park University hoodie! Suggested donations include soups, spaghetti, & ravioli for the program's emergency meal box program.  

Click here for to view the photo gallery from the 2012 March For Meals Campaign!