Akron, Ohio (December 18, 2018) VANTAGE Aging has received a $23,190 grant from the Northern Ohio Golf Charities & Foundation. Funds have been used to purchase a 2018 RAM Promaster City Tradesman Cargo Van. The vehicle is a much-needed addition to VANTAGE Aging’s Meals on Wheels’ fleet.
A program of VANTAGE Aging, Meals on Wheels of Northern Ohio delivers over 200,000 home-delivered meals and serves over 30,000 congregate meals in Summit County annually. These numbers are expected to rise as Ohio’s senior population continues to grow. In 2016, Summit County residents 62 years and older made up 20.1% of the population. This is up from 17.3% in 2010.
In addition to population trends, VANTAGE Meals on Wheels has recently joined forces with Meals on Wheels of Stark and Wayne Counties. Starting January 1, 2019, the organizations will merge their operations in an effort to strategically address the growing need for senior services in Northeast Ohio.
“The new vehicle plays a crucial role in keeping up with the nutritional needs of homebound seniors,” said VANTAGE President & CEO Karen Hrdlicka. “With just small supports, older adults can age in place in their homes. We appreciate that the Northern Ohio Golf Charity & Foundation recognizes the value of older adults in our communities by funding a van that will be used to safely and efficiently deliver meals to our most vulnerable members of society.”
VANTAGE Aging and the Northern Ohio Golf Charity & Foundation have a history spanning over 15 years. In 2002, VANTAGE Aging (then Mature Services) received grant funds from the Northern Ohio Golf Charity & Foundation for the expansion of its alcohol and drug treatment center.
In 2008, VANTAGE received a $22,000 grant from the Northern Ohio Golf Charity & Foundation to purchase a 2007 Chevy Uplander for its Emergency Food Program. Since, VANTAGE has distributed over 8,000 emergency food orders using the vehicle.
VANTAGE has received grant funding from the Northern Ohio Golf Charity & Foundation in 2011, 2013, and 2015 to purchase three hot-shot delivery trucks used for its Meals on Wheels program. Collectively, the agency has delivered over 594,000 home-delivered meals to homebound seniors in Summit County.
About VANTAGE Aging
VANTAGE Aging provides high-quality programs to empower the economic, social, physical, and mental well-being of adults as they age. Programs include non-medical in-home care provided by Home Wellness Solutions. Behavioral Health Solutions offers mental health counseling and treatment for alcohol and other drug use issues to adults age 45 and older. Job training for low-income adults age 55 and older is offered through the Senior Community Service Employment Program. Evidenced-based volunteering to meet local and national needs is provided by volunteers with RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). Meals on Wheels of Northern Ohio provides home-delivered and congregate meals to provide nutritional support to the homebound and disabled. Founded in 1975 as a senior citizen program, it has since become an independent, nationally respected organization with offices throughout the state. For more information, call 330.253.4597 or visit www.vantageaging.org.
Media Relations Contact:
Dawn Moeglin
Director of Community Engagement
VANTAGE Aging
330-253-4597 x160
dmoeglin@vantageaging.org