Meals On Wheels of Northampton County

New logo symbolizes fresh vision for Meals on Wheels of Northampton County

Contrary to the beliefs of many, Meals on Wheels is not just for the poor…and the food is actually very good! Almost 70 people can attest to this as they enjoyed sampling Meals on Wheels of Northampton County's cuisine this afternoon at the logo unveiling held their facility on Fritch Drive in Bethlehem. On the menu was cucumber salad, tofu stroganoff, pork tenderloin with a brandy applesauce and fresh peach cobbler. These meals are just some of the typical meals on the clients' monthly menu.

The new logo (attached) is a modernized symbol for Meals on Wheels' vision for the future and the strategic plan. "The Lehigh Valley's aging population is growing as is the need to provide support services to allow older adults to age in place," says JoAnn Nenow, Director of Meals on Wheels of Northampton County. "However, decreases in government funding and increases in costs have made providing the services more difficult." Meals on Wheels of Northampton County continues to focus on healthy aging through nutrition services to seniors but is looking to expand services beyond the senior population.

Over the next 3 years, some of the strategies included in this plan will address the following:

· Partnering with other in-home care service providers

· Providing nutrition services to additional populations

· Focusing on providing heart-healthy nutrition services to healthy, active seniors

· Partnering with hospitals to assist with the transition from hospital to home and ensuring that the discharged patient has the proper nutrition during the recuperation period to help prevent hospital re-admission

· Increasing our Endowment Fund to provide for future needs of the organization and to position ourselves for the future

· Increasing collaborative efforts with other Meals On Wheels programs in Pennsylvania

· With the expertise of our 3 Chefs that have over 50 years of combined culinary experience we are expanding our meal choice and variety

· Increasing our marketing efforts and rebranding our organization

2014 it is estimated that Meals on Wheels of Northampton County will serve 1,283 clients in Northampton County with 1,100 volunteers and prepare over 500,000 meals for clients in Northampton County, Senior Centers in Lehigh County, and Meals On Wheels programs in Monroe and Lehigh Counties.

Meals on Wheels of Northampton County continues to home deliver hot and cold meals to the community but has recently added progressive services like its Better Fresh program to use local Current Meals on Wheels of Northampton County services include:

· Home-delivered hot and cold meals - for homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities including those that are recuperating from hospital stays

· Chef's Pack program - a choice of 17 frozen entrees and 2 soups which can be ordered by our clients, people recuperating from hospital stays, and older active adults who want to eat healthier

· Group Dining Services - catered congregate meals for adult day centers, senior centers, child care centers and other programs that provide meals to large groups

· Ani-Meals - donated pet food for our client's cats, dogs, birds and fish

· Grocery Shopping - shopping for and delivering groceries to homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities that are unable to shop for themselves

· Better Fresh - whenever possible, Meals On Wheels purchases fresh produce from our local farms for use in our meals

· Meals on Wheels Meal Preparation - other Meals on Wheels organizations in the greater Lehigh Valley depending on Meals on Wheels of Northampton to prepare and provide them with food.

About Meals on Wheels of Northampton County

Meals on Wheels of Northampton County started in 1972. Currently, they prepare 1,900 meals daily including Northampton County clients as well as preparing meals for Lehigh and Monroe Counties (Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County and Meals on Wheels of Monroe County are separate organizations with their own office staff and delivery volunteers). Meals on Wheels of Northampton County also serves 10 senior centers and 1 adult day care center. In Northampton County alone on a daily basis they serve meals to 500 clients with the help of 100 delivery volunteers driving 50 routes. In 2014 alone, Meals on Wheels of Northampton County will serve 1,283 clients with 1,100 volunteers and prepare 475,000 meals.

For more information contact Meals on Wheels of Northampton County at 610-691-1030 or visit http://www.mealsonwheelspa.org.

Meals On Wheels of Northampton County

4240 Fritch Drive, Bethlehem, PA 18020

610-691-1030