Both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are both set aside to show appreciation and gratitude towards our parents. Sadly, for some, it can be a reminder of loneliness and isolation. For millions of seniors and older Americans, especially those who experience food insecurity, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are not always celebratory.
To combat this locally, the Osceola Council on Aging (OCOA) has created the special Meals for Moms and Dinner for Dads fundraiser to raise additional Meals on Wheels funding for parents across the Osceola County community.
The initiative, hosted by the OCOA for several years, delivers a special meal on the Friday before Mother’s Day in May, to celebrate moms, and the Friday before Father’s Day, in June, to celebrate dads. Along with meals, a gift, normally flowers, are delivered to moms, as well as a gift for dad. Our goal is to support seniors who may have gone without a hot meal, social connection, or a simple visit during those special weekends.
“This program is more than a warm plate of food. It is an opportunity to check on our seniors to make sure they are safe,” said William Santiago, OCOA’s Senior Services director.
According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 1 in 3, or roughly 34% of American adults ages 50–80, report feeling isolated, while a quarter of those 65 and older are considered socially isolated. There are nearly 3 in 10 adults aged 65 and older who live alone, with that number increasing to 43% for women over the age of 75.
Our mission is to raise a minimum of $10,000 which will enable our team to serve a hot, fresh, nutritious meal to more than 300 hundred local seniors. For as little as $25, anyone can host a senior.
Traditionally, MOW provides meal delivery services to individuals who are unable to prepare their own food, especially the frail and elderly who are confined to their homes.
“For some seniors, it can be difficult to come to terms with the fact that they are no longer able to do things they once could, such as cooking or caring for themselves. Asking for help can also be a challenging task. We strive to make our services a steppingstone in this process, and why the Meals on Wheels program is so important within our community,” Santiago said.
The OCOA delivered more than 125,000 meals through MOW Osceola in 2025, accounting for 20% of the regional total. Meals are delivered five days per week, and expanded delivery can be requested to cover the weekends when needed.
We are dedicated to ensuring that no senior goes hungry, feels forgotten, alone, or isolated. This program is just one more initiative to make sure our seniors feel loved, valued and cared for, and an additional opportunity to make a positive impact those seniors facing loneliness and food insecurity.
Please help us provide meals for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, for those moms and dads within our community who need support the most. To donate, visit https://osceolagenerations.org/momdad/. For general information on Meals on Wheels or to volunteer, call 407846-8532, ext. 1202.
