March for Meals to fight senior hunger on a run ‘round downtown

  • Members of the Osceola Council on Aging held a March 1 kickoff for March For Meals Month on Wednesday at the Barney E. Veal Center. The 5K run and event March 11 is
    Members of the Osceola Council on Aging held a March 1 kickoff for March For Meals Month on Wednesday at the Barney E. Veal Center. The 5K run and event March 11 is
  • Large and spirited teams will be out again raising money for Osceola Meals on Wheels and looking to win awards at March for Meals on March 11 in downtown Kissimmee. PHOTO/COUNCIL ON AGING
    Large and spirited teams will be out again raising money for Osceola Meals on Wheels and looking to win awards at March for Meals on March 11 in downtown Kissimmee. PHOTO/COUNCIL ON AGING

The Osceola Council on Aging Meals on Wheels program will again host a local event to highlight the national 2023 March for Meals campaign. The March for Meals 5K Walk & Run sponsored by KUA will be Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 a.m. at the Kissimmee Lakefront.

The event includes a 5K (3.1 miles) run or walk for individuals and corporate and family teams, a most-spirited team competition, a free Kids’ Run, silent auction, and those who finish will receive a medal. Plus, bring non-perishable food items to help the Council on Aging build its food pantry, and you’ll be entered into a special prize drawing.

Register for the event at www.osceolagenerations.org under “Fundraisers & Events.”

Packet Pick-Up will be at the Kissimmee Civic Center (201 E. Dakin Ave., Kissimmee) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, March 10.

The“Team Challenge” aspect of March for Meals allows folks to sign-up for a team with five or more participants and compete for team awards for Most Team Spirit and Largest Team. A special registration discount is offered for groups with five or more entries.

“This past year has been a tough year for our community, we have seen our clients who are in need now more than ever due to the costs of groceries, gas, and just the overall cost of living, and that is why it is so imperative to have the Meals on Wheels program,” said Wilda Belisle, Senior Vice President of Meals on Wheels & Dining Clubs for the Osceola Council on Aging. “Meals on Wheels is much more than a meal a day; it also gives us an opportunity to check in on our seniors. We need individuals, and corporate and family teams to come out and walk and run to help individuals who are counting on us to provide them with a hot and/or cold meal and companionship.We need to fight hunger today! We need our community’s help!”

The annual March for Meals celebration commemorates the historic day in March of 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. This year, Meals on Wheels programs from across the country are joining forces for the awareness campaign to celebrate 50 years of success and garner the support needed to ensure these critical programs can continue to address food insecurity and malnutrition, combat social isolation, enable independence, and improve health for years to come.

If you would like to be a March for Meals 5K partner, or would like to find out how you can volunteer to help combat senior hunger in Osceola County, contact Belisle at the Osceola Council on Aging at 407-847-2144 or belislew@osceola-coa.com.