CINCINNATI, Oh. — Meals on Wheels Southwest OH & Northern KY and 55 North announced plans to merge into one entity. Together, the combined organization hopes to serve over 11,000 seniors in the area.
“Our community and country faces a crisis in aging, which was worsened by the pandemic and recent inflation,” said Jennifer Steele, President & CEO of Meals on Wheels Southwest OH & Northern KY. “Seniors who receive services from each agency will benefit from a broader array of services offered by the combination of the two, and from the elegance and simplicity of a coordinated approach. The community will benefit from reduced duplication of services. Together, we will make a stronger impact.”
Founded in 1973, 55 North, formerly known as Hyde Park Center for Older Adults, yearly serves over 1,000 east-side based seniors with meals, transportation to medical appointments, plus health and wellness activities. Meals on Wheels serves over 10,000 seniors in the Cincinnati region annually.
In 2021, Meals on Wheels (MOW) merged with Cincinnati Area Senior Services (CASS), and created one of the country’s largest community-based organizations.
According MOW, that merger resulted in seniors in local 12 counties having access to 1.4 million meals. It also provided other services. These include pet support, transportation, shared/group meals and socialization. The group offers a Protective Services Program too that offers independent living assistance, financial case management, legal guardianship and representative payee services for the community’s most vulnerable.
“This merger will enable our organizations to advocate for the needs of older adults with a unified voice,” said Dan Driehaus, Chair of the Meals on Wheels board. Driehaus, formerly Chair of the CASS Board, also helped to lead that merger in 2021.
MOW says this help is certainly needed. According to the group, Kentucky ranks third in the nation in seniors threatened by hunger (marginally food insecure by United States Department of Agriculture standards), at a one in four, or 25%. Kentucky also ranks first in the nation in adults aged 50-59 experiencing food insecurity. Ohio ranks 10th in the nation in seniors threatened by hunger, with one in five seniors at risk (21%).
“We are passionate about ending senior hunger and loneliness. This joining of forces will allow Meals on Wheels to transform connection for seniors, and help us to innovate and win the very real fight against food insecurity and malnourishment in our community,” Steele added.
MOW said it will integrate and expand services 55 North provides too. For example, 55 North’s innovative Digital Connect program offers free one-on-one tech support to seniors, as well as complimentary computer tablets and internet access for one year to those who qualify.
Online health services are also included. Participants have digital access to telehealth appointments, worship services, plus order groceries, all while remaining safe at home.