The Northern Ohio Golf Charities & Foundation has awarded VANTAGE Aging with a $23,190 grant. Funds will be used to purchase a new vehicle for VANTAGE’s Meals on Wheels of Northern Ohio Program. From VANTAGE Aging and the clients we serve, thank you!
Meals on Wheels depends on reliable vehicles
Meals on Wheels of Northern Ohio, a program of VANTAGE Aging, provides nutritious home-delivered meals and congregate dining in Summit County. Annually, the program delivers over 200,000 home-delivered meals and serves over 30,000 congregate meals.
VANTAGE Meals on Wheels relies on its fleet to ensure our community’s most vulnerable population, our seniors, receive the meals they need to live independently with dignity in their homes. Without safe and reliable vehicles equipped to transport frozen food, the program could not operate.
The Northern Ohio Golf Charities & Foundation’s grant ensures that operations continue to run smoothly, especially in the wake of a growing need for services. With the funds, VANTAGE was able to purchase a 2018 RAM Promaster City Tradesman Cargo Van.
Keeping up with community needs
Several factors make the purchase of the new vehicle more critical than ever. Service levels are expected to grow due to the increasing number of seniors in our community. In 2016, Summit County residents 62 years and older made up 20.1% of the population. This is up from 17.3% in 2010.
The need for senior services will continue to grow in Summit County and across the United States as aging populations live longer and outnumber young people. It is important for local organizations to tackle the challenges of aging and provide solutions.
VANTAGE also expects to see a rise in clients because of its recent merger with Meals on Wheels of Stark & 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.
Currently, the two Meals on Wheels programs operate using different service models. Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties delivers a hot, ready-to-eat meal daily. VANTAGE Meals on Wheels delivers a choice frozen menu on a weekly or biweekly basis. By joining forces and combining service models, more individuals in all three counties will be able to receive a Meals on Wheels option that best suits their needs.
The Northern Ohio Golf Charities & Foundation recognizes the value seniors have in our communities and has addressed this through awarding grants to agencies like VANTAGE, which help older adults stay independent and active.
A continued relationship
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.
VANTAGE is very grateful for the continued support of the Northern Ohio Golf Charity & Foundation. Through funds provided by the Foundation, our agency can help more seniors stay healthy and independent in their own homes.
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