Summit Mayor Radest Kicks Off Meals On Wheels 50th Anniversary Community Partners Program
On Thursday, January 7, newly-elected Summit Mayor Nora G. Radest kicked off the local Meals on Wheels 50th Anniversary Community Partners program at SAGE Eldercare in Summit, NJ. She joined Carol Graham, a SAGE board member and Summit resident, in delivering meals to local older adults.
“We invited local clergy, business owners, corporations, other non-profits, first responders, and elected officials to become a Community Partner in celebration of our 50th Anniversary,” noted Marianne Kranz, Director of Meals on Wheels for SAGE Eldercare. “It would give these partners an opportunity to meet some of the older adults who helped build our communities while delivering a meal and spreading awareness on the importance of this service.”
SAGE Eldercare began its Meals on Wheels in 1966 with funding received from the Summit Junior League. Volunteers were recruited from various organizations such as the College Club, United Church Women, P.E.O., Red Cross, Women Pioneers of Bell Laboratories, and the Junior Fortnightly Club.
In the early days of this program, the meals were cooked in the kitchen at SAGE Eldercare, which was staffed by a parttime administrator and a cook. Six volunteer drivers delivered meals to approximately 27 clients per day. Today, nearly 30 volunteers deliver meals to 120 adults each weekday. Over the course of a year, 300 volunteers deliver more than 44,000 meals to 250 people in Union County (Berkeley Heights, Mountainside, New Providence, Springfield and Summit), Essex County (Millburn and Short Hills), and Morris County (Chatham and Madison).
“More than a meal, this program provides a wellness check and a brief visit to residents over the age of 60 who are often isolated from the very community that they helped to establish,” stated Ms. Kranz. Meals are presently provided by the Linden Meals on Wheels facility and Overlook Medical Center and are delivered between 11:00 am and 12:30 pm to residents in nine regional communities via 14 routes.
In addition to the Community Partner program, SAGE also hosted a “Soup”er Cook-off on Wednesday, January 27. SAGE staff and volunteers made their favorite soups and the public was invited to come and vote for their favorite entry. Attendees were asked to bring a can of soup to donate to SAGE’s Portable Pantry, which helps to supplement the Meals on Wheels program. In addition, attendees had the opportunity to learn more about both programs from Ms. Kranz.
To become a Community Partner or attend a different charitable event, please call 908.273.5554 or email mkranz@sageeldercare.org. Since 1954, SAGE Eldercare has been helping make the communities it serves amazing places 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, care planning, 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 http://www.sageeldercare.org/.
(above) Summit Mayor Nora G. Radest signed the 50th Anniversary Meals on Wheels card of volunteers at SAGE Eldercare on Thursday, January 7 and then delivered meals to local residents with Carol Graham, a SAGE board member and Summit resident.
