LSS of MN celebrates 10 years of providing food and fellowship to older adults in New Ulm
New Ulm Meals on Wheels seeking more volunteers
This time of year, most of us begin to focus on what
we are grateful for in our lives. Right now in New Ulm, many older adults and
their families are giving thanks for a decade of services from Lutheran Social
Service of Minnesota’s (LSS) Senior Nutrition.
Ten years ago, LSS’ services to ensure food and
fellowship for older adults expanded to Brown County. The expansion was a
direct response to the growing nutritional and social needs of adults, age 60
or older, facing challenges in living safely and independently. Today, hundreds
of older adults are living healthier and longer lives because of home-delivered
meals and friendly visits from community volunteers.
“Through the last decade, we’ve greatly appreciated
the support from volunteers and community partners that have helped us grow our
services for older adults,” said Sarah Anderson, assistant director for LSS. “It
is our hope that through our services, older adults who are isolated and feel
more alone will be able to remain in their own homes and an important part of
their community for many years to come.”
In 2007, LSS entered into a partnership with the New
Ulm Medical Center and local program, Dinners for Shut-ins, to take over
management of the New Ulm Meals on Wheels program. The change meant LSS
could help even more older adults in rural Minnesota get the nutritional
support they need. When LSS began providing home-delivered meals in New Ulm,
just 65 older adults were receiving meals. Today, more than 120 meals are
delivered each day.
Meals on
Wheels volunteers greet older adults who rely on delivery to get a fresh, hot
meal. The weekly, sometimes daily, visits lift their spirits and help older
adults stay connected to their community. Plus, family members gain peace of
mind from knowing that someone is checking on their loved one.
The New Ulm Senior Nutrition kitchen has added meal
sites in Comfrey, Butterfield, Sleepy Eye, Springfield and St. James. Now, LSS
is looking for more caring volunteers to deliver meals and friendship to older
adults. Visit http://lssmn.org/oa/homedelivered/ to learn more
about helping to ensure older adults remain happy, healthy, and an important
part of our community.
LSS Senior Nutrition is funded under contract by the
Area Agency on Aging with funding from the Older Americans Act through the
Minnesota Board on Aging. Additional funds are provided by the State of
Minnesota, United Way, local communities, LSS of MN and contributions from
participants.
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota began in 1865
when a Lutheran pastor and his congregation opened an orphanage for children
near Red Wing. Today, with 2,300 employees and 8,000 volunteers, Lutheran
Social Service helps one in 65 Minnesotans each year live and work in a
community with safety, dignity, and hope. Through a wide range of services, the
organization seeks to provide safety and supportive homes for children,
counseling to restore health and wellness in families, community living for
people with disabilities, and options that help seniors experience independence
and abundant aging. For comprehensive information about the work of Lutheran
Social Service of Minnesota, please visit www.lssmn.org.