Recently the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation highlighted ADVOCAP’s Food and Nutrition Program in their Spring 2024 IMPACT Report. The following is an excerpt from that article. To access the full report, click here.
In our community, the Home Delivered Meal Program serves as a lifeline for seniors, offering not just nourishment but also companionship and essential support.
Drivers play a crucial role in maintaining the independence of meal recipients, conducting wellness checks, and being attentive to their needs. Through daily interactions, they gather insights into clients’ lives, identifying gaps in resources from household essentials to appliance repairs. Unfortunately, financial constraints often prevent clients from addressing these needs.
A $5,000 grant from the Ladies Benevolent Society: Advocates for Older Adults Fund is helping to bridge that gap. Dawn Paterson, food and nutrition director at ADVOCAP, explains, “The funding we received has allowed us to do things beyond providing meals that make a significant impact on the quality of life for our meal recipients.” This grant has been instrumental in purchasing various essentials, such as walkers, blankets, can openers, and even toilet paper when a need is identified.
“I never imagined life without my wife, but when COVID took her from me, I felt lost,” shares Robert Herrmann, age 83. “I couldn’t even make a sandwich. Thankfully my neighbor connected me with the meal program. They gave me more than just food, a microwave, and some Tupperware; they gave me back my independence and dignity. It’s like having a family when you need it most.”
