March 18, 2024 – Happy in my Home, Community Support Services of Niagara (CSSN) is
pleased to participate in the 22 nd annual March for Meals – a month-long celebration of Meals
on Wheels and the thousands of people across the province who rely on this critical service.
This March, Meals on Wheels (MOW) Ontario aims to increase awareness around the need for
our vulnerable older adults and individuals with disabilities to have access to well-balanced and
affordable meals. MOW’s benefits extend beyond supporting their general welfare, maintaining
health and functional autonomy, it also encompasses emotional and psychological benefits.
Ontario's most vulnerable older adults and people with disabilities are currently facing
extraordinary levels of food insecurity. With the demand for nutritious and affordable meals
growing each day, Meals on Wheels continues to rise to meet the need.
“Due to the pressure of increasing food costs and overall higher cost of living, we have
experienced an increase in the demand for our services in Welland/Pelham area as well as the
Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln area,” said Carolyn Askeland, Executive Director of Happy in
my Home, CSSN. “Many of our dedicated volunteers are seniors themselves and with the
dramatic jump in demand for our services, volunteers are needed now more than ever. Happy in
my Home, CSSN continues to make a difference in our community through the provision of the
MOW program ensuring older adults have access to healthy and nutritious meals, not only
permitting them to live independently in their homes, but also assisting in reducing local costs
associated with hospital admissions.”
Since April 1, 2023 Happy in my Home, CSSN has provided more than 35 445 hot and frozen
meals within our geographical regions. It is noteworthy to mention that MOW is not just about
delivering meals, our volunteers perform wellness checks with each delivery ensuring our
seniors are safe and doing well, giving family members peace of mind.
During the month of March, community-based Meals on Wheels programs across the province
will participate in activities and awareness campaigns to promote the impact of these programs
and highlight the importance of vulnerable seniors having access to a nutritious meal, friendly
visit and safety check.
“Throughout the week of March 18th, 2024 Happy in my Home, CSSN will be raising awareness
about Meals on Wheels, the impact of the program and our amazing volunteers with five flag
raising ceremonies over four days,” said Lynne Rousseau, Program Manager. “Mayors from
Welland, Pelham, Lincoln, West Lincoln and Grimsby will be assisting our volunteers with the
delivery of hot meals, as well as hosting flag raisings in each of their communities. This is known as Mayors for Meals week. “Our Mayors are supporting us again this year and we can’t thank them enough for being champions of Happy in my Home, CSSN”
For more information on how you can volunteer, visit www.happyinmyhome.ca If volunteering is
not currently an option for you, please consider a donation to Happy in my Home, CSSN MOW
program so that we can continue to provide low cost, nutritionally balanced hot meals to our
vulnerable population allowing our older adults to stay safe, independent and happy in their
home.
The public is welcome to join Happy in my Home, CSSN, the Mayors, staff and volunteers at the
following flag raising ceremonies in their communities. Schedule is as follows; Monday March
18th at 10:30am with Grimsby Mayor Jordan at Town Hall; Tuesday March 19th 10:30am with
Lincoln Mayor Easton at Town Hall; March 20th 10:00am with Welland Mayor Campion at Town
Hall and West Lincoln Mayor Ganann; and Thursday March 21st 10:00am Pelham Mayor Junkin
at Meridian Community Center; 11:00am Mr. Oosterhoff assisting with the delivery of meals.
Happy in my Home, Community Support Services of Niagara is a not-for-profit, volunteer-based
agency providing non-clinical support services to older adults and adults with disabilities,
allowing them to remain happily and independently in their own homes. Our services include
Meals on Wheels, Transportation, Homemaking, Grocery Delivery, Friendly Visiting and Lunch
Out programs, Wellness Checks, Snow Removal, Home Maintenance and Safety at Home
Program.