2025-26 Feed Your Elders Campaign
The Pennsylvania State Budget impasse and ongoing federal government shutdown threatens critical senior nutrition services across the board. In response, Meals on Wheels of Lancaster is launching the Feed Your Elders campaign — a community-driven effort to ensure that no senior goes hungry while vital funding is withheld. Click here to learn more about how we’re funded and how we’re impacted by budget impasse.
This campaign honors the legacy of the elders who contributed to the community we all share. They deserve the comfort of a meal, a friendly visit, and the dignity that comes with being seen and cared for. We’ve chosen Older Americans Month (May 2026) as the campaign’s culmination to honor the Older Americans that we serve. We do so because The Older American’s Act of 1965 — the primary funding source for senior nutrition programs across the country — could be impacted by the ongoing federal government shutdown if it persists.
While that funding remains uncertain, our commitment to feeding our elders does not. We’ll celebrate Older Americans Month as both a tribute to our seniors’ legacy and a rallying point for the community to ensure their continued care.
Our ask is simple: donate $25 today—the true cost (unsubsidized) of a home-delivered meal. Your support fuels our ability to deliver meals to those who would otherwise go without food. Let’s flood our elected officials in Harrisburg and Washington with calls and letters to emphasize their responsibility to #FeedYourElders—because no senior should ever be left hungry, isolated, or forgotten.
Last but certainly not least, your voice is incredibly valuable to the seniors we serve. Contact your elected officials about the funding, compassion, and the programs that keep our community strong. Remind them that they have a responsibility to Feed Your Elders, too.
Thank you for taking the time to understand how these changes affect our organization and, most importantly, the neighbors we serve. Your awareness and support make all the difference.
As part of our Feed Your Elders campaign, we’re sharing stories from those impacted by the current funding challenges — and also from those who feel called to action to keep Lancaster’s wheels turning.
Meet Joe– a Meals on Wheels client and volunteer who knows firsthand the value of a home-delivered meal.
“My name is Joe; I have been receiving Meals on Wheels for approximately 4 years. It started because I fractured a hip and was in the hospital and then rehab; the Lancaster County Office of Aging came to support me and helped me tremendously by setting up Meals on Wheels. Meals on Wheels has been a big help to me. I am now also a volunteer here. It’s a great place to volunteer and be of service. I always give my honest opinion about the meals too when asked. The meals are great, they are made fresh daily and I love the variety, you never know what you are going to get every day– of course, I know what I’m getting because I package them. The drivers who deliver my meals are really nice. They always make sure I am ok and call me if I am not home to let me know that meals have been delivered. Some disability groups deliver to me, and I always talk to them. It’s really nice. If I didn’t receive Meals on Wheels my meals wouldn’t be balanced with fruits and vegetables, which is important.” – Joe
Joe’s story is a reminder that Meals on Wheels isn’t just about food — it’s about relationships and dignity, too. Your support ensures that individuals like Joe continue to receive the nourishment and companionship they deserve.
$25 the true cost (unsubsidized) of a home-delivered meal
$125 fills our van’s gas tank for two weeks
$500 powers 500 miles driven to clients’ homes
$1,000 keeps an entire delivery route rolling for a month
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Prefer offline gifts?
Make a check payable to:
Meals on Wheels of Lancaster
1411 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603
Cash donations can be delivered/mailed to our address:
1411 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603
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Curious about our sponsorship opportunities?
Contact our Executive Director, Feleen Nancarvis
Feleen@lancastermow.org or 717-392-4842
