Events and Activities : \'Fill the Plate\' Telethon to help feed older adults set for Dec. 7

The Heritage Area Agency on Aging is hoping the public dials in to help feed at-risk older adults in eastern Iowa. Heritage is excited to announce the return of the Fill the Plate telethon to bring greater support and awareness for its Senior Nutrition Home Delivered and Congregate Meal program. Last year’s telethon raised over $105,000 to help provide nutritious meals to older adults throughout eastern Iowa.

The Fill the Plate telethon runs from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, on KCRG 9.2. The event will raise money to help mitigate this year’s serious funding shortfall and increase awareness and local engagement for this critical program now and into the future.

While last year’s effort was a success, the need continues to rise. Last year, in partnership with local providers, Heritage provided over 384,000 home-delivered and congregate meals to low-income seniors in eastern Iowa. Funding for the program has not kept pace with increasing operating costs and the expandingneeds of seniors, as that population continues to grow. In the last two years, over 125,000 meals were eliminated and six congregate dining sites were closed. In addition, voluntary contributions decreased by $164,000 last year.

“We hope to raise money to address the continued funding short fall and service cuts as much as possible,” said Tim Getty, Regional Senior Nutrition Coordinator for Heritage. “We know with an aging population and tight budgets, that we’ll need continued help from the public to support seniors who rely on us for their daily meals.”

The “Fill the Plate” telethon website is now accepting donations. Tax-deductible donations can be made at www.kirkwood.edu/filltheplate.

There are sponsorship and entertainment opportunities available to those interested in participating in the Fill the Plate telethon. For more information, contact The Heritage Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-332-3934 or heritage@kirkwood.edu.