Berks Encore is joining forces with the Meals on Wheels Association of America to celebrate March for Meals.
Throughout the month of March, Berks Encore will hold special events and programs to bring attention to the Meals on Wheels program in Berks County. The March for Meals program provides an opportunity to support our local seniors and make our community stronger and healthier, while raising awareness about the importance of senior hunger and the need for volunteers to assist with the Meals on Wheels program.
Berks Encore has partnered with the L.O.V.E. team to offer a very special month-long event called “March for Meals Through West Reading.” An energetic group of West Reading merchants created the L.O.V.E. team to share the offerings of the area’s specialty boutiques and restaurants that are owner operated. During the entire month, merchants will sell bags filled with coupons to the West Reading businesses for $5. The proceeds will be donated to Berks Encore to help fight senior hunger. Participating businesses include A Running Start, Allison Clothing Co., Curious On The Avenue, It’s A Gift! Women’s Exchange, Jan Rae Boutique, Justin Bortz Jewelers, PC Ninja, Pollack Fashion Outerwear, Salon Avanti “Living On The Fringe”, She, Sweet Surprises, and Tina’s Salon and Day Spa. The listing is also available on Berks Encore’s website: www.BerksEncore.org/MFMWestReading.
In addition to receiving coupons, those who purchase the bags will also receive educational materials regarding Berks Encore and the Meals on Wheels program.
On March 18 Berks Encore and local celebrity champions will March for Meals through Berks County during our 10th Annual Meals on Wheels Celebrity Volunteer for A Day event. The event encourages businesses to participate in the Meals On Wheels program, a vital community service that provides meals to more than 600 homebound seniors in Berks County each weekday.
For one day, local “celebrity champions” are asked to pack and deliver meals from one of Berks Encore’s Meals On Wheels six sites. Local celebrities currently include Vaughn Spencer, Reading Mayor; Senator Robert P. Casey Jr., Senator Patrick Toomey, Senator Judy Schwank, Rep. Mark Gillen, Shillington Borough Council President Ronald Dunkelberger Sr., Sinking Spring Borough Manager Regina Shade, Representatives from the United Way of Berks County including 2015 Campaign co-chairs Brad and Barbara Hall and UW President Tammy White, and Representatives from the Berks County Area Agency on Aging.
Recognizing the power of social media, Berks Encore is asking both volunteers and supporters to take selfies with signs available on our website to show the program’s true impact. All Meals on Wheels volunteers are being asked to take a “selfie” with a sign that reads: “I delivered __ of 600 meals today. March with us and spread the word with #MFMMoment.” The volunteers are asked to write in the number of meals that they delivered that day.
For those who are unable to deliver meals, Berks Encore encourages them to download a special March for Meals sign and take a selfie with it. The sign reads, “My selfie helps fight senior hunger with March for Meals and Berks Encore.” The signs can be uploaded to Berks Encore’s Facebook page along with #MFMmoment to help show support for this vital program. These are available at www.BerksEncore.org/MFMmoment.
By completing the program, Berks Encore has the opportunity to receive additional grant money through the Meals On Wheels Association of America.
For more information, contact Berks Encore at 610-374-3195 or visit www.BerksEncore.org.
