WEST CREEK, New Jersey − Regina Cippel shares a few key tips for living a long life: Rest when needed, avoid setting high demands for yourself, appreciate what you have, and keep working as long as possible while also contributing to others.

And don’t forget to eat well.

It’s hard to dispute her wisdom: Cippel is 101 years old, yet she appears and sounds like someone decades younger. She shared her insights after enjoying lunch and engaging in an energetic game of seated volleyball at the Ocean County Southern Service Center, where Meals on Wheels organizes meals, activities, and social interactions for seniors.

Cippel is among the hundreds of seniors benefiting from nutritious meals provided by Meals on Wheels of Ocean County, which is part of a larger network, Meals on Wheels America, supporting over 5,000 local programs across the nation.

However, as Meals on Wheels commemorates its 50th anniversary in 2024, it is confronting significant challenges: The prices for food and fuel are climbing, while federal funding has stagnated or even decreased.

Volunteer numbers for meal preparation, loading trucks, and delivery are dwindling, and with more baby boomers aging, an increasing number require assistance as their savings diminish and living expenses rise.

Beyond Just Meals

“Many people think our service is just about delivering a nutritious meal, but it’s far more than that,” explained Ellie Hollander, the president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America.

“The meal is a gateway to social interaction, providing companionship to seniors who may not see anyone else regularly.”

According to Hollander, many meals are enjoyed in community centers, senior centers, and other group settings. Seniors who can afford to do so are asked to contribute a small donation, typically around $4 per meal.

At the Ocean County Community Center, Cippel and around twenty-five other seniors participated in arts and crafts, relished lunch, engaged in conversations, learned a few Spanish vocabulary words, and did chair exercises.

Following the passing of her husband a decade ago, Cippel received meals delivered to her home in Barnegat. She relocated last year to live with her son, who has since died, and her daughter-in-law in Little Egg Harbor.

She appreciates attending these lunches: “It’s wonderful. They make an effort to keep things interesting.” Being a grandmother and great-grandmother, she enjoys the chance to socialize and, judging by her laughter and vigorous serves, participate in chair volleyball.

“It’s nice to be around friendly faces,” Cippel expressed. “I can unwind and have fun, which distracts me from feelings of loneliness.”

‘Food is Medicine’

According to executive director Jim Sigurdson, Ocean County Meals on Wheels currently serves 1,115 clients, with 688 over the age of 85, and a majority (1,085) aged 75 and older. Approximately 12% of recipients are veterans, and 70% live alone. Presently, there are 82 individuals on Ocean County Meals on Wheels’ waitlist.

Sigurdson is candid in expressing his concern that the program cannot cater to everyone in need. The federal government provides about 25% of the organization’s $3,877,000 budget, with the remainder sourced from the state (2%), private donations (11%), and county funding (62%).

Since 2019, the organization’s expenses have surged over 28%, translating to an increase of about $10-$14 per meal.

“In real estate, they say, ‘Location, location, location,'” Sigurdson remarked. “For us, it’s all about funding, funding, funding. It needs to keep up with the rapidly expanding senior demographic, which it currently isn’t doing.”

Hollander highlighted that a third of Meals’ community-based organizations across the country have waiting lists that average three months or more, primarily due to insufficient funding and a shortage of volunteers.

According to Hollander, only 1% of charitable contributions in the U.S. support programs for senior citizens. There are 2.5 million low-income elderly individuals facing food insecurity and not receiving meals.

She also pointed out that the annual cost for Meals on Wheels to cater to one senior is equivalent to spending for just one day at a hospital or ten days in a nursing home.

“Food acts like medicine,” she remarked. “Proper nutrition is crucial for maintaining health and can save taxpayers millions annually. Why wouldn’t we commit to a proven intervention that has been effective for over 50 years?”

‘A moral imperative’ in Pennsylvania

LuAnn Oatman, CEO of Meals on Wheels in Berks County, Pennsylvania, also serves on the national board of the organization. Reading, the county seat, has a diverse urban population, primarily Latino, but the surrounding areas are suburban and rural, consisting of residents with German, Irish, Polish, Pennsylvania Dutch, and Italian backgrounds.

“Our community is quite diverse,” Oatman noted. The meals are tailored to accommodate various tastes, and they actively recruit volunteers from the Black and Latino communities to help with outreach and meal delivery, as building connections is essential, especially for older adults.

Berks County’s Meals on Wheels currently serves approximately 1,200 to 1,300 individuals, adding 40 to 50 new clients each month. In contrast to Ocean County, which paused volunteer services during the pandemic and has not resumed, Berks has around 470 volunteers.

In Berks County, some drivers are paired with volunteers from programs like Threshold, which supports individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. Oatman highlighted that this creates additional opportunities for engagement with seniors and helps individuals in these programs discover their own sense of purpose.

Unlike the densely populated areas in New Jersey, Berks County has a more dispersed population, with volunteers often covering distances of 20 to 30 miles between stops. Grocery stores might be far apart, public transport options are scarce, and many older residents lack internet access.

“We certainly don’t make it easy for our seniors,” Oatman commented. “We have a moral obligation to deliver food to those who are most vulnerable. Many individuals we serve are dealing with multiple chronic health conditions, and a significant number are homebound or even bed-bound.”

‘It’s the social visit they look forward to’

This highlights another critical aspect of Meals on Wheels: delivery drivers are not just leaving packages on doorsteps. They make phone calls to family members if seniors do not answer the door or call 911 in emergencies.

Michael Zaccaria, a driver for Meals on Wheels in Ocean County, has developed relationships with the seniors he serves over the past two years. Having previously worked as a consultant and executive in the cosmetics field, he describes driving for Meals on Wheels as “a fulfilling job.”

“Many clients eagerly await our visits,” he shared. “Their gratitude is beyond words.” Drivers remain vigilant for any signs of distress: Is the home looking untidy? Does the recipient appear confused, exhausted, anxious, or unstable? Every six months, the outreach team from Meals on Wheels conducts assessments as well.

“Most clients express that, while they appreciate the meals, it’s the social interaction they truly cherish,” Hollander stated. “For families, it’s reassuring to know that someone is checking in on their loved ones, particularly when they live far away.”

“The pandemic brought to light how devastating loneliness and social isolation can be.”

We understand the significance of that knock at the door, as it symbolizes the care, hope, and joy that we bring to someone’s life.