Area Agency on Aging Announces NEKAAA Meals Program

July 16, 2020
Pictured above Gary Shear, NEKAAA Meals program spokesperson and Karen Wilson, NEKAAA Executive Director

Hiawatha, KS July 13, 2020-Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging receives funding from Meals on Wheels America to support NEKAAA Meals program.

Meals on Wheels America has donated more $22.7 million dollars to support the fight against COVID-19. The Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund was created to support members of the Meals on Wheels Network in the form of emergency grants. These grants provide much needed support to local Meals on Wheels programs focused on doing all they can to keep older Americans safe and nourished in communities across the country.

Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging (NEKAAA) is privileged to receive a Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund grant to support the NEKAAA Meals program. This new initiative will highlight NEKAAA’s partnership with Meals on Wheels America and General Public Transportation as a first step in addressing the limited nutritional resources available in Brown County. The program will provide over 7000 shelf-stable/emergency meals for residents in Brown County who are age 60 years and over.

“As a member of the Meals on Wheels Network, we are grateful to Meals on Wheels America for this wonderful opportunity” said NEKAAA Executive Director, Karen Wilson. “Meals on Wheels is a well-established organization with fantastic resources we can leverage locally to support and prepare Brown County seniors for emergency situations. Our goal is for every senior in Brown County to have at least two weeks of emergency meals on hand.”

As community spokesperson for the NEKAAA Meals program, retired Hiawatha Fire Chief Gary Shear encourages all individuals to plan ahead for emergencies. “Emergency preparedness is a must and this is a great program,” said Shear. “People need to be prepared, not only for COVID-19, but for tornadoes, ice storms, floods and other emergencies we see here in Brown County.”

If you are age 60+, call NEKAAA at 785-742-7152 or 800-883-2549 to request a meal. There is no cost for meals. Donations are appreciated.