At 50 years old, Meals on Wheels endures as a staple for many homebound seniors.

Some 251 million nutritious meals are delivered daily to 2.2 million seniors by volunteers throughout the U.S. who might stop and chat for a bit. Drivers serve as “eyes and ears,” too, many of them trained to look for problem situations with the senior and/or their home.

But the federal Older Americans Act, which provides a portion of the funding for organizations to operate their meal delivery programs, does not cover meals for holidays. That includes Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Easter and Passover.

That doesn’t mean Meals on Wheels operations stop. Plenty of volunteers show up to prepare, pack and deliver hot meals and cheer to residents who might otherwise be alone — and hungry — on days when many families gather in festive celebration.

But putting together crews on holidays requires donations.

This year, roughly 8,200 holiday meals are needed for residents in the six-county region served by AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services. The meals are delivered in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties.

About $55,000 will cover the cost of the meals. With DTE Foundation’s annual donation of $29,000, about $26,000 is still needed to close the funding gap.

AgeWays works with 11 local Meals on Wheels providers throughout its six-county region that are responsible for preparing and delivering meals daily. This year, these partners have delivered 2.2 million meals (including congregate meals at senior centers) for around 22,000 people. Some even provide food for pets.

“Since government funding does not cover the cost of meals on the holidays, AgeWays is a key funder to ensure seniors do not go without a meal. Donations are critical to ensure the delivery of a hot, nutritious meal while spreading holiday cheer to older adults who otherwise would be home alone for the holidays,” says Angela Patten, AgeWays’ program manager for nutrition services.

To make a donation to the AgeWays Holiday Meals on Wheels Program, go to AgeWays.org/Donate. The local providers that AgeWays works with also accept donations to help offset funding gaps and keep their weekday deliveries going.

By the numbers

• Meals on Wheels relies on 5,000 community-based programs to make, pack and deliver meals.

• 77% of seniors say Meals on Wheels helps them stay healthy.

• 85% of seniors say Meals on Wheels helps them to feel more secure.

• 92% of seniors say Meals on Wheels helps them to live independently. Meals on Wheels can provide meals for a senior for one year at the same cost as one day in the hospital or 10 days in a nursing home.

This content is provided by AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services (formerly the Area Agency on Aging 1-B), a nonprofit that serves older adults and family caregivers in Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties. We provide services, programs and resources that are designed to help seniors age safely and independently. Call us at 800-852-7795 to get connected.