Spectrum is excited to announce the March for Meals Celebration!
The annual March for Meals celebration commemorates the historic day in March of 1972 when President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. This year, Meals on Wheels programs from across the country are joining forces for the awareness campaign to celebrate 50 years of success and garner the support needed to ensure these critical programs can continue to address food insecurity and malnutrition, combat social isolation, enable independence, and improve health for years to come.
“The Older Americans Act Nutrition Program is the only federally supported program designed to be an antidote for both senior hunger and isolation,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “Despite decades of proven success and bipartisan support, funding for this program has failed to keep pace with the rapidly growing need for its services. With the nation’s senior population increasing dramatically, now is the time to support local Meals on Wheels programs – through volunteering, donating and speaking out – to ensure we are able to deliver for another 50 years.”
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As Thanksgiving approaches, we are reminded to count our blessings and remember all that we have to be thankful for. But for many seniors, Thanksgiving and the following holiday season can be a difficult time.
Seniors, like Gloria, often feel lonely and are reminded of people they may have lost in the past. The lack of family gatherings, an inability to shop or prepare food, or the feeling that they cannot fully participate in holiday functions can lead to depression and isolation.
Last year, over 600 seniors received their Thanksgiving meal from Spectrum Community Services.
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In honor of Veteran's Day, the Spectrum staff and board want to honor Senior Meals client Carl Dudley, and ALL the brave men and women who have served our country. Whether in the past, the present or the future, during times of war and peace, all of us at Spectrum Community Services salute and thank all of the veterans who have served!
Carl Dudley turned down a scholarship to Morehouse College awarded to him by Martin Luther King, Jr. and others in 1961. He had aspirations of becoming a famous jazz saxophonist and singer, following in the footsteps of his musical family members, and against his mother’s wishes. Instead Carl found himself outside a recruitment office one afternoon in 1962. Most of the doors were locked as the officers took their lunch break. When Carl returned an hour later, two branches of the armed services were open and with the flip of a coin, Carl enlisted in the U.S. Air Force.
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Spectrum Wins Excellence in Service Award On October 20th, Spectrum Community Services was presented with the Excellence in Service Award bestowed by the Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce. The annual Community Service Awards is a fun-filled evening as the Chamber recognizes those deserving individuals, groups and businesses who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in business, volunteer activities and achievement within the Pleasanton community. The Community Service Awards began in 1963 to recognize good people doing great things in the community and since then hundreds of recipients have been honored. Click the video below to watch Spectrum Executive Director Lara Calvert's remarks about receiving this award.
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