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Oklahoma Families to Begin Receiving Pandemic-related Food Benefits

Thursday, September 23, 2021

Hot meal delivery announced this week

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (Sept. 23, 2021) – Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) and Meals on Wheels of Oklahoma are pleased to announce hot meal delivery for 13* counties in western Oklahoma. This announcement comes a week after the agencies announced that Meals on Wheels of Oklahoma was named as the senior nutrition provider for this part of the state. 

“Senior nutrition programs are essential to helping Oklahomans throughout our communities maintain their nutrition and independence,” said Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt. “I want to express my thanks to SWODA and to Meals on Wheels for all they are doing to support our seniors with these important services.”

“The Legislature has worked tirelessly to fund core services at OKDHS and provide adequate funding for senior nutrition centers,” said Rep. Todd Russ, R-District 55. “It is my hope that with this new transition, we will continue to do right by the men and women who have come before us, to whom are owed our care. I look forward to a continued effort on OKDHS’s part to ensure the program is funded to provide sustainability for the future.”

“We are grateful to welcome Meals on Wheels Oklahoma as they step forward to provide nutrition, social opportunities and wellness for older Oklahomans in this area of our state,” said Samantha Galloway, OKDHS Chief of Staff and Operations. “SWODA and their dedicated team of staff and volunteers have served this area well for many decades and we are so appreciative of their work, along with our other Area Agencies on Aging. These services are critical to older Oklahomans, particularly since the pandemic, and we are thankful for continued service in western Oklahoma.”

Congregate meals are part of the Older Americans Act Title III Program’s services for older Oklahomans. Congregate meal sites cook and serve nutritious meals at local senior centers, community centers, schools and adult day centers where Oklahomans 60 years of age and older, along with their spouses, can socialize and volunteer in service to their communities. The meals follow the most recent national dietary guidelines, planned and reviewed by a registered dietitian, and must meet one-third of the recommended daily nutrition requirements.

“Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa (dba Meals on Wheels Oklahoma) is excited about the new partnership with SWODA and OKDHS," said Calvin Moore, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa. "We believe this is an opportunity to expand our mission, grow the Meals on Wheels family and serve more Oklahomans. Our key objectives have always been to increase independence, create equitable access to nutritious meals and provide caring contacts for rural Oklahomans.”

Meals on Wheels Oklahoma’s mission is to empower local community programs to improve the health and quality of life of the seniors they serve so that no one is left hungry or isolated. 

“The heart of this nutrition program is our rural senior citizens,” said Anita Martinez, AAA Director of SWODA Aging Services. “SWODA appreciates OKDHS and Community Living, Aging and Protective Services’ leadership guiding us in the development of a business relationship with Meals on Wheels Oklahoma in order to provide such an essential service in our area.  We expect a smooth transition for the Title III participants and staff as Meals on Wheels Oklahoma becomes a contracted SWODA partner.”

 To learn more about congregate meals in Oklahoma, visit https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/services/cap/meals.html.

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*Editor’s note: The counties affected by this change include Beaver, Beckham, Cimarron, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Harper, Kiowa, Roger Mills, Texas, Washita, Woods, and Woodward.

ABOUT MEALS ON WHEELS: Meals on Wheels of Metro Tulsa, a Tulsa-based community-funded nonprofit, provides nutritious meals, wellness checks, and caring contact to elderly and disabled homebound individuals in Tulsa and surrounding areas. For more than 50 years, the organization has served the Tulsa area and surrounding communities with the goal of reducing senior hunger and isolation. Learn more at mealsonwheelstulsa.org.

Last Modified on Nov 15, 2023
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