Photo:  (L-R): Tabitha Guess of H-E-B Burleson, Lisa Hicks of Meals-on-Wheels, Becky Woodall of Mission Hospice, Victoria Sykes of Huguley, Lisa Ortner of Huguley, Vinsen Faris of Meals-on-Wheels (Back Row): Qyn Hughes of Mission Hospice, Robby Psencik of Mission Hospice, Tracy Robinson and Whitney Patterson of Meals-on-Wheels

Recently, Marketing over Breakfast (MOB) of Johnson County and other community partners, including local businesses and organizations, teamed up to help fight senior hunger in our area. During November and December, the community made food donations to help local seniors and raise awareness for the growing epidemic of senior hunger that impacts millions of older Americans.

All the donations were given to Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties. Collectively, over 1500 pounds were collected, sorted, and delivered on January 14, to 65 homebound people in Johnson County.

"As the facilitator for Johnson County MOB, I am so proud of our community partners, pulling together, to help stop senior hunger. We are blessed to live in a community who values lending a helping hand in time of need, and for those who need a little help with some food, our partners pulled together and collected over ½ ton of food items to give to our local Meals-on-Wheels clients. Thank you to all who donated and volunteered your time to make this a success," said Lisa Ortner.

A startling number of U.S. seniors risk going hungry due to the inability to obtain sufficient food for their household or having to choose between food and medical care. In fact, Texas is ranked #4 in the nation for elderly food insecurity. Hunger can lead to malnutrition and other serious health problems in seniors. In fact, one in three seniors in the care of others is at risk for malnutrition or under nutrition. For seniors, malnutrition means the potential for increased hospital stays, increased health complications, early entry into assisted living facilities and premature death.

"Together, with groups like MOB of Johnson County, our local businesses, volunteers and donors, we are making a difference in the lives of our homebound elderly. Our goal is to make sure that our seniors' needs here in Johnson County are met," said Lisa Hicks, Meals-on-Wheels community development coordinator.

Mature Advantages / Marketing over Breakfast, is a network of organizations dedicated to connecting organizations and individuals focused on providing care and services to our aging population. The group's goal is to become resources for one another by sharing time together each month at Marketing over Breakfast meetings learning about one another's businesses. Each member strives to educate themselves on other members' services, so that appropriate referrals can be made to one another. For more information on MOB, please contact Lisa Ortner at Lisa.Ortner@AHSS.ORG or (817) 426-2200.

Meals-on-Wheels is a community benefit organization serving the homebound elderly and disabled residents throughout Johnson & Ellis County for 35 years. If you are interested in volunteering, donating, or if you know of someone who could benefit from Meals-on-Wheels services, please call (817) 558-2840 or (972) 351-9943, or online at www.servingthechildrenofyesterday.org.

Contact name: Whitney Patterson
Phone number: (817) 558-2840
Email: whitney@mowjec.org