Across the nation during the month of March, local officials are taking part in Meals on Wheels America campaign to raise awareness for isolation and poor nutrition among older Americans. Five police chiefs and one lieutenant from Berkeley Heights, Mountainside, New Providence, Summit, and Springfield gathered together at SAGE Eldercare on March 16 to deliver meals to residents in their respective towns.
“It is our 50th anniversary this year and is vitally important to the people we serve that law enforcement officials meet these individuals,” stated Marianne Kranz, Director of Meals on Wheels for SAGE. “The relationship and communication between local police departments and a community-based organization such as SAGE is critical so that older residents are looked after and protected. The annual “March For Meals” campaign established by Meals on Wheels America provides a great opportunity for us to enlist the help of local officials by visiting older residents, listening to their concerns and getting to know their circumstances.
In addition to local police chiefs, SAGE has enlisted the involvement of local elected officials, EMTs, and community groups. “It is vital for these decision-makers within the communities we serve to have an understanding of the homebound residents in their towns – often times, our volunteers are the only people checking in on them,” added Kranz.
About fifteen times a year, SAGE has to turn to the police to do welfare checks on clients who don’t respond, and about five times a year, a SAGE Meals on Wheels volunteer calls 911 when finding a client in need of immediate professional and/or medical assistance. “Not only does SAGE rely on us to check on the safety and wellness of our older residents, but we also rely on SAGE’s professional staff when we find someone who needs their assistance and services. Our partnership ensures that isolated older residents are getting the help they need,” noted New Providence Police Chief Anthony D. Buccelli, Jr.
For more information on the Meals on Wheels program, or if you would like to become a volunteer for SAGE Eldercare, please contact Marianne Kranz at 908.273.5554.
For the past 60 years, SAGE Eldercare has been helping make the communities it serves an amazing place to age. The organization provides a wide array of information, support, and services designed to help individuals lead the most independent and active lives possible. From helping with errands, to exercise classes, community programs, and home health care, SAGE’s expertise helps older adults remain independent in their own homes. SAGE is committed to being the leading provider of programs and services to meet the changing needs of older adults, their families, and caregivers throughout Union, Essex, Morris, and Somerset Counties. For more information, please call 908.273.5550 or visit www.sageeldercare.org.
(above, l-r) New Providence Police Chief Anthony D. Buccelli, Jr., Berkeley Heights Police Chief John DiPasquale, Summit Police Chief Robert Weck, Mountainside Police Chief Allan V. Attanasio, Mountainside Lieutenant Tom Murphy, and Springfield Police Chief John Cook. They delivered meals to older residents in the area on March 16 as part of the Meals on Wheels America’s “March For Meals” annual campaign, which is coordinated by SAGE Eldercare in Summit.
