March is National Nutrition Month, a nutrition education and information campaign created by the American Dietetic Association.  For over 50 years, The Golden Age Centers of Greater Cleveland has played a primary role in providing healthly lunchtime meals in a group setting and vitally needed home delivered meals to homebound seniors in the Greater Cleveland area.

Did you know that:

**   The Greater Age Centers serve more than 1200 hot and nutritious meals EACH DAY to seniors in  need?

**   93% of seniors receiving home delivered meals are eligible for nursing home care, but are able to stay in their homes, with assistance from the Golden Age Centers?

**  $100 provides 100 home delivered meals to one senior for one month?

** The GAC is a primary provider of vouchers which enable low income seniors to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, normally not attainable within their budgets?

We are proud to provide outstanding programs which enhance the quality of life and independence of older persons.  Thanks to the Golden Age Centers of Greater Cleveland, 291,745 hot meals were provided to needy seniors over the past year!

Isabel Taylor, a 90 widow who lives on less than $1,000/month, is frail and alone.  She says that her participation in the Lake Shore Golden Age Center, gives her a daily purpose and provides her with the necessary support to continue to live independently.  She is one of the more than 5,000 elderly who live in the Cleveland community served by the Golden Age Centers of Greater Cleveland.

Five days a week, community donations to the Golden Age Centers, provide free transportation, a nutritious hot meal (for many, the only meal they will eat all day) and a variety of social and educational services.  55% of the seniors served by the GAC live alone, 72% are women, 90% or more live below the poverty level, and 98% of the home delivered meal clients are eligible for nursing home care.  Many participants have multiple disabilities such as cognitive impairment, physical limitations, and hearing and visual impairments.  Without the support of the GAC, this vulnerable population would face insurmountable obstacles.

Come hear the stories of Isabel and so many like her, who benefit from GAC programs which promote independence, alleviates loneliness and isolation, and defines what a caring society is truly about.  Help support the Golden Age Centers by attending the GAC's Annual Meeting, 3/22 or by sending in a donation via How You Can Help on our website. 

"The true measure of any society is how it treats its most vulnerable members."