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Meals-on-Wheels

Subaru of America Shares the Love with Homebound Seniors!

By Events, Meals-on-Wheels

Meals on Wheels America and LifeCare Alliance are thrilled to participate in the 2021 Subaru Share the Love Event, which has helped deliver more than 2.5 million meals to seniors across the country over the past 13 years.

This partnership with Subaru of America, Inc. is vital because too many seniors are struggling to stay independent and healthy. One in four seniors lives alone in isolation and nearly 7.4 million American seniors have incomes below the poverty line, which puts them greatly at risk for food insecurity. This is why LifeCare Alliance provides nutritious meals, friendly visits, and safety checks to the seniors of Franklin, Madison, Marion, Champaign, and Logan counties. This support keeps seniors safe, independent, and living in their own homes, where they want to be.

We’re incredibly grateful to Subaru and its retailers for supporting our organization and the seniors we serve. With that in mind, we thought you might like to learn a little bit more about the Subaru Share the Love Event.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

This November 18, 2021, through January 3, 2022, for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased, Subaru will donate $250 to the customer’s choice of participating charities.* Meals on Wheels is one of four national participating charities and has been since the inception of the event. Through this event, as a member of Meals on Wheels America, LifeCare Alliance will receive a share of the donation from Subaru vehicles sold at participating Subaru retailers.

You might not be in the market to purchase a new car, but you can still help by spreading the word to your family and friends. A few quick and easy ways to do that:

– Share this article to your social media networks!
– Share our posts about the Share the Love Event on Facebook: (www.facebook.com/lifecarealliance), Twitter (@lifecareallianc), or Instagram (@lifecarealliance)! #ShareTheLove

And remember: this holiday season you can ensure our senior neighbors are not forgotten, when you purchase or lease a new Subaru and select Meals on Wheels as your charity of choice.

*Disclaimer: Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 18, 2021, through January 3, 2022, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 15, 2022. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc.

Holiday Volunteer Opportunities 2021-2022

By Columbus Cancer Clinic, Events, Help-at-Home, Meals-on-Wheels, Volunteers

The holiday season is here, and LifeCare Alliance has multiple opportunities for you to spread tidings of comfort and joy and Nourish the Human Spirit by donating gifts and volunteering. Please read below to see what way of giving works best for you. Thank you for your support, and happy Holidays!

 

Adopt-A-Senior
Date(s) and Time(s): Nov. 1 – Dec. 17, 2021; 9am-4pm
Host Agency: LifeCare Alliance; 670 Harmon Avenue, 43223
Contact: Molly Haroz
Phone: 614-437-2861
Website: www.lifecarealliance.org
Email: mharoz@lifecarealliance.org
Families: Yes (min. age: preschool with adult)
Opportunity:  Donate gifts that will be delivered during the holidays to older adults who receive Meals-on-Wheels.  You will be helping your neighbors who may be an older adult, medically challenged, and/or home-bound and receive Meals-on-Wheels. Gifts should be delivered unwrapped.  Donation ideas include calendars, puzzle books, note cards and stamps, as well as personal care items like toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, soap, socks, lotions, cologne, and mugs. Donations of tissue paper and small gift bags are welcomed.

 

Adopt-A-Client of the Groceries-to-Go nutritional program!
Date(s) and Time(s): Nov. 1 – Dec. 17, 2021
Host Agency: LifeCare Alliance; 670 Harmon Avenue, 43223
Contact: Leilani Monfort
Phone: 614-437-2836
Website: www.lifecarealliance.org
Email: lmonfort@lifecarealliance.org
Families: Yes (min. age: preschool with adult)
Opportunity: Donate food and personal hygiene items that will be available to clients of the Columbus Cancer Clinic, as well as their families. The pantry is in need of the following: Gift cards, personal care items (lotion, bath salts, shampoo, conditioner, hand soap), household cleaning supplies, canned vegetables and canned soups, snacks and sweets.
Groceries-to-Go Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2REVM4PJIU2KQ?ref_=wl_fv_le
Opportunity: Drivers to deliver to homebound clients

 

Adopt-A-Senior
Date(s) and Time(s): N/A – At capacity! Thank you to our supporters!
Host Agency: LifeCare Alliance—Help-at-Home; 1699 W. Mound St., 43223
Opportunity: Help older adults who receive home care services from our Help-at-Home department celebrate the season!  Provide a local senior items from his or her wish list!  Wish list items may include blankets, puzzle books, mugs, as well as personal care items like toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, soap, socks, and lotions, or household cleaning items. Please wrap and deliver gifts to LifeCare Alliance, or you may deliver directly to the senior’s home! Donations of tissue paper and small gift bags are welcomed.
The Help-at-Home Amazon Wish List contains items that are always needed: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/GUUEC9N7XNDN?ref_=wl_fv_le.

 

Adopt-a-Family 
Date(s) and Time(s): N/A – At capacity! Thank you to our supporters!
Host Agency: LifeCare Alliance – Columbus Cancer Clinic; 1699 W. Mound St., 43223
Opportunity: Help Columbus Cancer Clinic clients and their families celebrate the season! Wish list items may include toys, food, clothing, household items or gift cards.  Deliver gifts for holiday gift bags to our Mound Street offices.
The Columbus Cancer Clinic Amazon Wish List contains items that are always needed: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3R5R5QYAFS9OF/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex.

 

Meals-on-Wheels Delivery
Host Agency: LifeCare Alliance; 670 Harmon Avenue, 43223
Website: www.lifecarealliance.org
Questions? Email: volunteer@lifecarealliance.org
Call: 614-444-MEAL (6325)
Families: Yes (min. age: preschool with adult)
Opportunity: Multiple opportunities to assist with Meals-On-Wheels food delivery during the holiday season.  Deliver holiday cheer and hot, nutritious meals to your neighbors who may be elderly, medically challenged or home bound and receive Meals-on-Wheels.  Routes take 1-1½ hours to deliver.  Maps and training are provided before departing on a route. New volunteers should start by submitting a volunteer application at https://www.lifecarealliance.org/volunteer/apply/.  Existing volunteers can sign up for opportunities using the below links.  If the links do not work for you, simply copy and paste them into your preferred browser.

 

Week Before Christmas
Date(s) and Time(s): Dec. 20 – Dec 23, 2021; Delivery takes 1-1.5 hours between 10am-1pm
To Schedule: https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted/2021-12-19.

 

Christmas Eve Meals-on-Wheels Delivery
Date(s) and Time(s): Dec. 24, 2021; Delivery takes 1-1.5 hours between 10am-1pm
To Schedule: https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted/2021-12-24.

 

Christmas Day Meals-on-Wheels Delivery
Date(s) and Time(s): Dec. 25, 2021; Delivery takes 1-1.5 hours between 10am-1pm
To Schedule: https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted/2021-12-25.

 

Week after Christmas Meals-on-Wheels Delivery
Date(s) and Time(s): Dec. 26 – Dec 30, 2021; Delivery takes 1-1.5 hours between 10am-1pm
To Schedule: https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted/2021-12-26

.

 

New Year’s Eve Meals-on-Wheels Delivery
Date(s) and Time(s): Dec. 31, 2021; Delivery takes 1-1.5 hours between 10am-1pm
To Schedule: https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted/2021-12-31.

 

New Year’s Day Meals-on-Wheels Delivery
Date(s) and Time(s): Jan. 1, 2022; Delivery takes 1-1.5 hours between 10am-1pm
To Schedule: https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted/2022-01-01.

A caregiver holds an elderly woman's hand

Ten Warning Signs Your Older Family Member May Need Help

By Featured News, Help-at-Home, Meals-on-Wheels, SixtyPLUS

Changes in physical and mental abilities that may occur with age can be difficult to detect — for older adults and their family members, friends, and caregivers too. Certain behaviors may indicate the need for loved ones to take action. Here are 10 warning signs that your loved one who is an older adult may need some help with living independently:

  • Your loved one has changed eating habits, resulting in losing weight, having no appetite, or missing meals.
  • They have neglected personal hygiene, including wearing dirty clothes and having body odor, bad breath, neglected nails and teeth, or sores on the skin.
  • They have neglected their home, with a noticeable change in cleanliness and sanitation.
  • They are unusually loud, quiet, paranoid, or agitated, or making phone calls at all hours.
  • Relationship patterns have changed, causing friends and neighbors to express concerns.
  • Physical problems, such as burns or injury marks that may result from general weakness, forgetfulness, or misuse of alcohol or prescribed medications.
  • Decreased or reduced participation in activities that were once important to them, such as bridge or a book club, dining with friends, or attending religious services.
  • Forgetfulness, resulting in unopened mail, piling of newspapers, not filling their prescriptions, or missing appointments.
  • Mishandling finances, such as not paying bills, losing money, paying bills twice or more, or hiding money.
  • They have been making unusual purchases, such as buying more than one subscription to the same magazine, entering an unusually large number of contests, or increasing purchases from television advertisements.

If the signs above are raising red flags, resources such as the Administration for Community Living’s Eldercare Locator may be of assistance. For more information about ACL, visit www.acl.gov.

LifeCare Alliance’s wellness, nutrition, and support programs may also help. To make a referral, click here and a member of our team can reach your loved one about services we can offer.

— Content provided by the Administration for Community Living

A LifeCare Alliance employee loads a donated fan into a car at a Beat the Heat Fan Campaign distribution.

LifeCare Alliance a Community Resource During Central Ohio Summer Heat Wave

By Fan Campaign, Meals-on-Wheels, Press Releases

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Aug. 23, 2021) — With temperatures soaring into the 90s this week, LifeCare Alliance staff and volunteers are out in full force helping central Ohioans beat the heat.

FREE FAN DISTRIBUTION

LifeCare Alliance will be distributing free box fans on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, at 670 Harmon Ave., Columbus, OH 43223, from 2:30-3:30 p.m. while supplies last. This service, which is powered by community donations of box fans all summer, is open to anyone who needs assistance cooling their homes.

Those interested in receiving a fan should bring their identification or proof of residency. The drive-through fan distribution is designed to meet social distancing recommendations for reduced risk of COVID-19 exposure.

For more information on LifeCare Alliance’s Beat the Heat Fan Campaign, please visit www.lifecarealliance.org/fans or call the Fan Hotline at 614-437-2870.

MEAL DELIVERIES DURING EXTREME HEAT

LifeCare Alliance serves Meals-on-Wheels in Franklin, Madison, Marion, Champaign, and Logan counties in Ohio. Volunteers and staff will be delivering meals in each of these areas during the hottest days of 2021.

“The dedication of our volunteers and staff is remarkable,” said Charles W. Gehring, President and CEO of LifeCare Alliance. “Especially during extreme heat or extreme cold, it is vital that we ensure our clients receive a nutritious meal each day. Our staff and volunteers help make sure that we are meeting the needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our community.”

Meals-on-Wheels deliveries are an essential part of LifeCare Alliance’s wellness, nutrition, and support services for seniors and people with medical challenges and disabilities. LifeCare Alliance is the largest Meals-on-Wheels provider in the Midwest, and the agency serves all who qualify with no waiting list. During this extreme heat, that can save lives.

ADVICE FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS

LifeCare Alliance urges central Ohioans to check in on their vulnerable loved ones during this time of extreme heat. Older adults and people with medical challenges are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Concerned about someone during this heat wave? You may be able to help by referring them to LifeCare Alliance’s customer service department. Please visit www.lifecarealliance.org/referral to begin the signup process or call 614-278-3130. A representative will reach out to them and assess their needs and eligibility for services. Concerned family members and neighbors may also serve as a proxy for homebound people needing a box fan. The person in need would send their proxy with their identification or proof of residency to pick up a fan for them. A fan can increase air flow and lower the temperature in a room by as much as 10 degrees.

-###-

For more information:

Contact: Anthony Clemente
E-mail: aclemente@lifecarealliance.org

Meals-on-Wheels logo

LifeCare Alliance’s new funding partner, Community Health Foundation, helps clients in Champaign County receive Meals-on-Wheels

By Featured News, Meals-on-Wheels

Supporters like the Community Health Foundation enable LifeCare Alliance to provide Meals-on-Wheels to older adults and individuals living with a medical challenge and/or disability in Champaign County.

The Community Health Foundation began in 1986 as the parent company of The Community Hospital of Springfield and Clark County. Their mission is to preserve reproductive services, to promote health and wellness, and to advocate for quality healthcare through grant making and education in Clark and Champaign Counties.

As a new funder, their support has provided much-needed relief to our neighbors in Champaign County. Thank you for Nourishing the Human Spirit!

-By Stephanie Rowe Bencic, LifeCare Alliance

Give Now

Click here to join supporters like the Community Health Foundation in supporting the clients of LifeCare Alliance!

Claire Eastman delivers a meal to a central Ohio resident.

Columbus Dispatch: Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to handle demand tied to COVID-19 pandemic

By Featured News, LifeCare Alliance in the News, Meals-on-Wheels

Picture and story published May 17, 2021, by the The Columbus Dispatch:

LifeCare Alliance’s daily Meals-on-Wheels delivery is a huge help to central Ohio residents like Deloris Harrington, who is undergoing chemotherapy and needs to stay home to recover from treatments.

From March 2019 to February 2020, the central Ohio Meals on Wheels program served 4,751 different customers. A year later, from March 2020 through February 2021, that number grew to 7,873, a 66% increase.

That increase in business, in turn, has led to an urgent need for more volunteers.

Click here to read the full story.

Click here to volunteer and help LifeCare Alliance reach all those in need of services.

 

Mel Leiper receives Spirit Award

Madison Messenger: Meals on Wheels award goes to Mt. Sterling’s Mel Leiper

By Featured News, LifeCare Alliance in the News, Meals-on-Wheels

Story published May 3, 2021, by the Madison Messenger:

LifeCare Alliance recently presented the Madison County Congregate Dining Spirit Award to longtime Meals-on-Wheels volunteer and Mount Sterling resident Marilyn “Mel” Leiper.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March last year, LifeCare Alliance had to shut down the local dining center. Leiper helped the organization transition the residents to home-delivered meals.

“Even through some health issues, she continued to make sure everyone got meals who needed them. She is a top notch volunteer, and we are forever grateful for her,” said Tony Madison, LifeCare Alliance Meals-on-Wheels driver.

Click here to read the full story.

Click here to see the rest of the 2021 Spirit Award winners.

 

Lisa Manns with LifeCare Alliance's Claire Eastman and individuals from RTC Industries

BELLEFONTAINE EXAMINER: RTC Industries honored for Meals-on-Wheels dedication

By Featured News, LifeCare Alliance in the News, Meals-on-Wheels

Story published April 27, 2021, by the Bellefontaine Examiner:

LifeCare Alliance awarded Lisa Manns (pictured middle with the award) from RTC Industries with the 2020 Logan County Meals-on-Wheels Corporate Partner Spirit Award for her commitment to a meal route adoption.

Lisa looks forward to continuing her commitment to volunteer and to keep spreading the word to others about how they too can enjoy giving back through LifeCare Alliance’s programs.

You must be subscribed to the Bellefontaine Examiner to access the full story.

Click here to read the full story.

Click here to see the rest of the 2021 Spirit Award winners.

Car receiving drive-through meal at Carrie's Cafe

NBC4: LifeCare Alliance anticipates giving more free meals as weather warms

By Carrie's Cafe, Featured News, LifeCare Alliance in the News, Meals-on-Wheels

Story published April 14, 2021, by NBC4:

LifeCare Alliance is helping more people put food on the table during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michelle Jones, LifeCare Alliance’s Communication Director, says the Agency distributes about 5,000 meals at both their drive-through sites and in person.

Anyone who needs assistance can check out LifeCare Alliance’s programs page.

Click here to read the full story.

LifeCare Alliance Mound Street Building Entrance

10TV: Need for in-home meals remains high in Columbus area

By Featured News, LifeCare Alliance in the News, Meals-on-Wheels

Photo and story published Mar. 14, 2021, by 10TV:

The need for home deliveries in the community is higher now than it was this time last year.

“Our Meals on Wheels program has shot up 65% last April, in numbers, and we are still up that high. In fact last week we were up 69%, higher than we were last March,” said Charles W. Gehring, President and CEO of LifeCare Alliance

Gehring suggests calling the Franklin County Office on Aging at (614) 525-5230 or LifeCare Alliance (614) 278-3130, to talk to a person who can help arrange an appointment and a ride to a vaccination site.

Click here to read the full story.

Nominate a Volunteer for the LifeCare Alliance Spirit Awards!

By Carrie's Cafe, Central Ohio Diabetes Association, Columbus Cancer Clinic, Events, Featured News, Help-at-Home, Meals-on-Wheels, POHC, Volunteers, Wellness
Thank you for nominating an outstanding volunteer for the Spirit Awards! Volunteers are essential to the success of LifeCare Alliance in our community, so it is important to recognize the wonderful work they do.
Please use the form below to submit your nomination. We want to know the LifeCare Alliance program that benefits from your nominee’s work, as well as the reasons your nominee stands out from all the rest.
Please visit LifeCare Alliance’s website and social media for information about this year’s Spirit Awards as details are finalized.

Columbus CEO: Volunteer of the Year Sandy Freer lives to serve

By Featured News, LifeCare Alliance in the News, Meals-on-Wheels

Photo by Rob Hardin. Story published Feb. 26, 2021, by Columbus CEO:

Sandy Freer, Vice President of Business Partner Relations at Quantum Health, has been chosen as the Volunteer of the Year by Columbus CEO for their 2021 Healthcare Achievement Awards.

At the heart of Quantum Health’s many efforts is LifeCare Alliance. Freer and her team began taking delivery routes in 2009 and over time increased participation to five times per week.

Freer says, “It brings me joy, and I believe part of the reason I’m here on this Earth is to be in service to other people.”

Click here to read the full story.

Meals-on-Wheels logo

NBC4: Volunteers Spend MLK Day of Service Delivering Meals

By Featured News, LifeCare Alliance in the News, Meals-on-Wheels

Story published Jan. 18, 2021, by NBC4:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has become a national day of service.

Volunteers like Dawn Smith have made volunteering on MLK Day a yearly tradition, and want to pass it on to the next generation.

LifeCare Alliance set up its own drive-thru operation for volunteers to check in and pick up meals with limited contact. Volunteers limited their direct contact with clients when they dropped off meals, but hoped the service itself was a gesture of goodwill.

Click here to read the full story.

Charles Wilson holds meal bag

United Way Honors LifeCare Alliance Employee with Frontline Staff Appreciation Award

By Featured News, Meals-on-Wheels, Press Releases

LifeCare Alliance is proud to announce that longtime Meals-on-Wheels driver Charles Wilson has won a Frontline Staff Appreciation Award from the United Way of Central Ohio.

Charles has been a compassionate, accountable, and excellent employee of LifeCare Alliance for more than 30 years. In that time, he has delivered over 150,000 meals!

As a Meals-on-Wheels driver, Charles ensures that some of the most vulnerable of central Ohio’s seniors continue to receive the nutritional support and daily wellness checks they need to maintain their independence. Most of the people he serves share that their meal driver is the only person they see in a day, so Charles is a true lifeline for many.

Over the past 10 months, that lifeline has become even more critical to ensuring the safety and health of central Ohio neighbors. Charles has not only maintained his commitment to deliver daily on the front lines, but has also adapted quickly and successfully to the new realities presented by COVID-19.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Charles has been an exemplary front-line worker who genuinely cares about the people he serves.Congratulations to Charles for being honored with the Front-line Staff Appreciation Award from the United Way!

Visit the United Way of Central Ohio’s Facebook page to see all of the Frontline Staff Appreciation honorees.

Subaru Share the Love Event Returns for 2020

By Featured News, Meals-on-Wheels

Meals on Wheels America and LifeCare Alliance are participating in the 2020 Subaru Share the Love Event, which has helped deliver more than 2.3 million meals to seniors across the country over the past twelve years.

This partnership with Subaru of America, Inc. is vital because too many seniors are struggling to stay independent and healthy. One in four seniors lives alone in isolation and one in seven seniors might not know from where their next meal is coming. This is simply unacceptable, which is why LifeCare Alliance provides the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks to the seniors of Franklin, Madison, Marion, Champaign, and Logan counties. This support keeps seniors safe, independent, and living in their own homes, where they want to be.

We’re incredibly grateful to Subaru and its retailers for supporting our organization and the seniors we serve. With that in mind, we thought you might want to learn a little bit more about the Subaru Share the Love Event.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

This November 19, 2020, through January 4, 2021, for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased, Subaru will donate $250 to the customer’s choice of participating charities.* Meals on Wheels is one of four national participating charities and has been since the inception of the event. Through this event, as a member of Meals on Wheels America, LifeCare Alliance will receive a share of the donation from Subaru vehicles sold at participating Subaru retailers.

You might not be in the market to purchase a new car, but if you are, please look into the Subaru Share the Love Event to learn more. If you’re not shopping for a new vehicle, you can still help by spreading the word to your family and friends. A few quick and easy ways to do that:

– Share this article to your social media networks!
– Share our posts about the Share the Love Event on Facebook: (www.facebook.com/lifecarealliance). You can also do this on Twitter (@lifecareallianc) or Instagram (@lifecarealliance).

And remember: this holiday season you can ensure our senior neighbors are not forgotten, when you purchase or lease a new Subaru and select Meals on Wheels as your charity of choice.

*Disclaimer: Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 19, 2020, through January 4, 2021, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 15, 2021. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc.

Wishing you a wonderful Holiday Season

Holiday Volunteer Opportunities 2020-2021

By Columbus Cancer Clinic, Featured News, Help-at-Home, Meals-on-Wheels

The holiday season is here, and LifeCare Alliance has multiple opportunities for you to pay it forward through donating gifts and volunteering. Our clients have felt the sting of isolation more this year than ever, and can’t wait to receive some holiday cheer! Read below to see what way of giving works best for you. Happy Holidays!

Adopt-A-Senior

Date(s) and Time(s): Nov. 1 – Dec. 13, 2020; 9am-4pm
Host Agency: LifeCare Alliance; 670 Harmon Avenue, 43223
Contact: Molly Haroz
Phone: 614-437-2861
Website: www.lifecarealliance.org
Email: mharoz@lifecarealliance.org
Families: Yes (min. age: preschool with adult)

Opportunity:  Donate gifts that will be delivered during the holidays to older adults whom receive Meals-on-Wheels or participate in our cookouts and drive-through food pickup.  You will be helping your neighbors whom may be an older adult, medically challenged, and/or home bound and receive Meals-on-Wheels. Gifts should be delivered unwrapped.  Donation ideas include calendars, puzzle books, note cards and stamps, as well as personal care items like toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, soap, socks, lotions, cologne and mugs. Donations of tissue paper and small gift bags are welcomed.

Adopt-A-Senior

Date(s) and Time(s): Nov. 1 – Dec. 13, 2020; 9am-4pm
Host Agency: LifeCare Alliance—Help-at-Home; 1699 W. Mound St., 43223
Contact: Alli Chrzanowski
Phone: 614-437-2814
Website: www.lifecarealliance.org
Email: achrzanowski@lifecarealliance.org
Families: Yes (min. age: preschool with adult)

Opportunity: Help older adults whom receive home care services from our Help-at-Home department celebrate the season!  Provide a local senior items off their wish list!  Wish list items may include blankets, puzzle books, mugs, as well as personal care items like toothpaste, deodorant, shaving cream, soap, socks, and lotions, or household cleaning items. All gifts can be wrapped or unwrapped and delivered to LifeCare Alliance, or you may deliver directly to the senior’s home! Donations of tissue paper and small gift bags are welcomed.

Adopt-a-Family

Date(s) and Time(s): Oct. 17 – Dec. 13, 2020;
Deliver to client homes between 12/13-12/23 or deliver to the Cancer Clinic between 12/13 – 12/21.
Host Agency: LifeCare Alliance – Columbus Cancer Clinic; 1699 W. Mound St., 43223
Contact:  Christin Brown
Phone: (614) 437-2840
Website: www.lifecarealliance.org
Email: cbrown@lifecarealliance.org
Families: Yes (min. age: preschool with adult)

Opportunity: Help Columbus Cancer Clinic clients and their families celebrate the season! Wish list items may include toys, food, clothing, household items or gift cards.  Deliver gifts for holiday gift bags to our Mound Street offices you can purchase off the Amazon Wish List:  (https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3R5R5QYAFS9OF/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex).

Meals-on-Wheels Delivery

Host Agency: LifeCare Alliance; 670 Harmon Avenue, 43223
Website: www.lifecarealliance.org
Questions? Email: volunteer@lifecarealliance.org
Call: 614-444-MEAL (6325)
Families: Yes (min. age: preschool with adult)

Opportunity: Multiple opportunities to assist with Meals-On-Wheels food delivery during the holiday season.  Deliver holiday cheer and hot, nutritious meals to your neighbors who may be elderly, medically challenged or home bound and receive Meals-on-Wheels.  Routes take 1-1½ hours to deliver.  Maps and training are provided before departing on a route. New volunteers should start by submitting a volunteer application at https://www.lifecarealliance.org/volunteer/apply/.  Existing volunteers can sign up for opportunities using the below links.  If the links do not work for you, simply copy and paste them into your preferred browser.

Week Before Christmas
Date(s) and Time(s): Dec. 16 – Dec 23, 2020; Delivery takes 1-1.5 hours between 10am-1pm
To Schedule: https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted/2020-12-13.

Christmas Eve Meals-on-Wheels Delivery
Date(s) and Time(s): Dec. 24, 2020; Delivery takes 1-1.5 hours between 10am-1pm
To Schedule: https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted/2020-12-24.

Christmas Day Meals-on-Wheels Delivery
Date(s) and Time(s): Dec. 25, 2020; Delivery takes 1-1.5 hours between 10am-1pm
To Schedule: https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted/2020-12-25.

Week after Christmas Meals-on-Wheels Delivery
Date(s) and Time(s): Dec. 26 – Dec 30, 2020; Delivery takes 1-1.5 hours between 10am-1pm
To Schedule: https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted/2020-12-26.

New Year’s Eve Meals-on-Wheels Delivery
Date(s) and Time(s): Dec. 31, 2020; Delivery takes 1-1.5 hours between 10am-1pm
To Schedule: https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted/2020-12-31.

New Year’s Day Meals-on-Wheels Delivery
Date(s) and Time(s): Jan. 1, 2021; Delivery takes 1-1.5 hours between 10am-1pm
To Schedule:https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted/2021-01-0.

McAlister’s Deli Helps Warm Up Our Community

By Featured News, Meals-on-Wheels

For the second year in a row, McAlister’s Deli has selected Meals on Wheels America as the beneficiary of its Warming Up the Community campaign.

During the month of November, McAlister’s will donate 10¢ for every bowl or cup of soup purchased, with a minimum donation of $100,000!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Customers can support the Warming Up the Community campaign in several ways throughout the month of November at participating locations. Third-party delivery is not included in this promotion.

  • Dine-in: Guests who choose to dine in can order and enjoy their hot cup or bowl of soup at participating locations.
  • Carry Out: McAlister’s guests have multiple options for ordering ahead of time and can easily pick up.
    • Order Via: Online at https://mcalistersdeli.olo.com/, or on our McAlister’s Deli App (available on the Apple and Google Play stores), or by phone.
    • Pick-up Via: In-store Pick-Up Stations, Pick-Up Windows and Curbside Pick-Up (varies by location).

LOCATIONS

Visit one of the two central Ohio McAlister’s Deli locations and partner with LifeCare Alliance to reduce senior hunger and isolation!

  • 1593 Hilliard-Rome Rd., Hilliard
  • 7664 Sawmil Rd., Dublin
Members of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce volunteer during the Rally for Recovery

Rally for Recovery Gives Meals-on-Wheels Volunteers a Boost

By Featured News, Meals-on-Wheels, Volunteers

LifeCare Alliance received a welcome boost to its volunteer efforts during the United Way of Central Ohio’s Rally for Recovery Campaign.

During the week of Sept. 28, 2020, the UWCO awarded funds to local organizations to encourage new volunteers to complete a project that creates positive change within the community. LifeCare Alliance’s programs have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, so the Agency requested and was awarded a microgrant to help recruit volunteers to deliver Meals-on-Wheels.

Many of our neighbor seniors are still not able to go to the grocery store or are afraid to go out in public where they might encounter a crowd. In addition, those who normally have assistance from a family member or friend often cannot be visited during this time because of their particular vulnerability to COVID-19. As a result, since March 1, the demand for Meals-on-Wheels has increased by 65%. The Agency anticipates this need to continue, and will accept all those in need who qualify. By providing our nutritionally balanced meals to our senior and medically challenged neighbors, we will help keep them safe.

With public health concerns forcing the closure of congregate dining, senior centers, and senior daycare facilities, those who relied on these centers for their nutritional needs are turning to home-delivered meals to provide their nutrition. Many seniors and medically challenged individuals are unable to prepare and cook meals, and need a complete, ready to eat, home-delivered meal.

LifeCare Alliance used the award to purchase Speedway fuel gift cards to help defray the cost of gas during a volunteer’s Meals-on-Wheels shift. This was a great help in recruiting new volunteers as the Agency isn’t able to provide this perk to volunteers on a regular basis. The Agency is particularly appreciative of the funding from the United Way because it was able to offer a special thank you to Rally for Recovery volunteers.

As a result of this special funding and targeted recruitment, the Agency was able to attract 20 new volunteers during Rally for Recovery, including many from the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. These volunteers spent a total of 60 hours delivering 15 Meals-on-Wheels routes over the course of the Rally for Recovery week, distributing an estimated 250 meals to our senior clients! With their assistance, we were able to ensure that all routes were delivered and our seniors got the hot, nutritious meals they need.

The Agency plans to continue nurturing the relationships with these volunteers. With hope, many will be interested and available to become regular volunteers or even “adopt” a route. The Agency has the largest Adopt-A-Route program in the country (more than 100 companies participate), giving employees the opportunity to deliver Meals-on-Wheels during their lunch break. Each meal route delivered by a volunteer instead of a paid driver saves the Agency $12,000 annually.

Thanks so much to the United Way of Central Ohio for their commitment to volunteer recruitment!

-By Crystal Kurzen, Grants Manager, LifeCare Alliance

Learn more

Visit LifeCare Alliance’s Volunteer page to learn more about different ways to get involved and Nourish the Human Spirit!

Above:

Members of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce volunteering for Meals-on-Wheels during the Rally for Recovery.

A caregiver comforts her patient.

Pandemic Deals Additional Challenges to Caregivers

By Featured News, Help-at-Home, Meals-on-Wheels

Taking care of aging loved ones can be challenging enough on its own, but taking care of them during a global pandemic? The past few months have left many volunteer caregivers looking for answers.

Here are a few tips to help you safely take care of your loved ones in the age of COVID-19:

Stay Informed

Follow the most recently updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local public health organizations like Columbus Public Health.

Minimize Risk of Exposure

People over the age of 65 make up eight out of 10 COVID-19 deaths, so when caring for elderly loved ones it’s imperative that you take every precaution to keep yourself free from exposure. This can include limiting trips into the community, frequent handwashing, wearing masks, face coverings and gloves when necessary, and cleaning and disinfecting your home.

Manage Supplies

Acquire extra necessary medications and be sure to stock up on over-the-counter medications as well as common supplies like tissues and cough syrup. Keep your household well stocked with food to limit unnecessary trips to the grocery store. Monitor needed medical supplies related to your loved one’s condition or treatments.

Make Telehealth Appointments

If a wellness appointment for you or a loved one can be completed over the phone, telehealth appointments are your safest option. You can make telehealth appointments with LifeCare Alliance Wellness Center staff by calling 614-437-2878.

Report All COVID Symptoms

If you or your loved one are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms, call your primary healthcare provider. If you don’t have a primary healthcare provider, call the Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 Hotline at 1-833-427-5634. In addition to other physical symptoms, people with dementia who contract COVID-19 can see increased confusion, increased agitation and sudden bouts of sadness.

Fight Boredom and Care for Yourself

Self-isolation can be a very difficult time for both you and the person you’re caring for. To fight boredom, try and schedule regular phone and video calls with other family members. Take breaks from reading, watching and listening to the news and make sure you each find time to do things you enjoy. You can also seek out a local caregiver support group like the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging to help you work through any feelings of stress or frustration.

Get Help if You Need It

If taking care of an aging or disabled loved one is too much at this time, LifeCare Alliance’s Help-at-Home program provides affordable, quality in-home care for people in Franklin and Madison counties. For more information call (614) 278-3130.

We Couldn’t Have Done It Without You: A Sincere Thank You to Our Emergency Funders

By Featured News, Meals-on-Wheels
Note from a Meals on WHeels client

A note from a Meals-on-Wheels client illustrates the impact of LifeCare Alliance’s services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over the past four months since COVID-19 has taken hold, LifeCare Alliance has had to significantly alter its services to meet the changing needs within the community.

During the week of March 1-7, the Agency’s Meals-on-Wheels program served 15,439 meals through our Meals-on-Wheels program. In contrast, during the week of June 21-27, the Agency served 24,537 meals. LifeCare Alliance has experienced as much as a 65 percent increase in meals served, resulting from heightened client demand in all of the five counties we serve: Franklin, Madison, Champaign, Logan, and Marion. At the height of the pandemic, the Agency added as many as 500 new clients a day!

Most meal service starts within 24 hours of receiving the contact or referral. LifeCare Alliance continues to receive numerous requests for services daily, and the Agency accepts all those who qualify.

LifeCare Alliance didn’t meet this demand on our own, however; we have been incredibly fortunate to receive emergency-response funding from a number of generous corporate and community partners.

We would like to sincerely thank the following funders who have so generously partnered with us to keep our doors open during this unprecedented time of COVID-19:

  • American Electric Power Foundation
  • Battelle
  • Big Lots Foundation
  • City of Columbus
  • City of Columbus Recreation & Parks CARES Fund
  • Columbia Gas/NiSource
  • The Columbus Foundation
  • Columbus Jewish Foundation
  • Crane Group
  • CVS Health Foundation
  • Delta Dental Foundation
  • Fishel Foundation
  • Franklin County Emergency Food and Shelter Program & CARES Funding
  • Logan County Emergency Food and Shelter Program
  • Madison County Emergency Food and Shelter Program & CARES Funding
  • First Merchants Bank
  • Franklin County Commissioners
  • Grange Insurance
  • Honda of America Foundation
  • Huntington Foundation
  • George J. Igel & Co. Inc.
  • IGS Foundation
  • Kokosing
  • The Legacy Fund
  • MAC AIDS Viva Glam Fund
  • Marion Rotary Foundation
  • Meals on Wheels America
  • Nationwide Foundation
  • Osteopathic Heritage Foundation
  • Quantum Health
  • United Way of Central Ohio
  • United Way of Logan County
  • United Way of North Central Ohio

And this is not even to mention the number of clients who contributed under difficult circumstances. LifeCare Alliance thanks all who helped continue the vision of the Agency’s founder, to “take care of those no one else pays any attention to.”

These funders have allowed the Agency to continue to serve the most vulnerable among us in a variety of ways. In addition to access to nourishing food, clients receive health and nutrition education and linkages to community resources and other LifeCare Alliance programs. Examples include the Senior PetCare program, which delivers pet food to the homes of clients, and the Beat the Heat Fan Campaign, which provides box fans during the hot summer months. The Agency advocates for client needs in the community and through relationships with local elected officials, promotes services through marketing and community outreach, and enriches community engagement by increasing and strengthening volunteer engagement.

With the emergency funds received, LifeCare Alliance also has been able to resume essential services that were initially closed as the pandemic ramped up.

  • The annual Beat the Heat Fan Campaign is underway, and the Agency is accepting fans to distribute weekly to clients in need.
  • The Central Ohio Diabetes Association will host summer camps virtually this year, from July 12-26.
  • The Columbus Cancer Clinic restarted regular mammograms as of May 18 and continues to be fully scheduled. The Groceries-to-Go Food Pantry, which serves CCC clients and their families, experienced a 53 percent increase in service numbers.
  • LA Catering has developed several “take out” options and new methods of delivering safe catering. Catering staff is taking reservations and can help with reopening needs.
  • Meals-for-Kids, a social enterprise, is now serving 22 daycare sites, representing more than 500 meals served per day. If all goes well, the Agency hopes to return to 60+ sites and more than 2,100 meals per day in the fall.
  • Project OpenHand-Columbus serves clients who are fighting HIV/AIDS. Many clients are self-isolating during this pandemic — some losing work because of it. COVID-19 has caused the emergency meal service to be needed at an increased rate. The number of clients served has doubled.
  • Senior PetCare continues to distribute food to almost 1,000 clients and provide veterinary care to pets in need.
  • Wellness has restarted several services, including staffing by registered nurses and registered dietitians at  community wellness centers across Franklin County.

In light of the increased client demand, the most remarkable achievement the Agency has accomplished is continuing to accept all clients in need, without a waiting list. This contrasts with a recent survey by Meals on Wheels America, which reports that 55 percent of programs nationally have increased their wait lists, with average increases of 26 percent. About 22 percent of programs’ wait lists have doubled, or more.

LifeCare Alliance is proud to be in this position, in large part because of the support of the partners mentioned above. LifeCare Alliance has received tremendous community support for emergency funding, but the Agency has not seen meal number increases slowing down. Clients will be the last group able to leave their homes as the pandemic subsides, so LifeCare Alliance anticipates this need will continue for the foreseeable future.

The Agency sincerely thanks the emergency funders for Nourishing the Human Spirit by going above and beyond to support LifeCare Alliance during this challenging time!

— By Crystal Kurzen, LifeCare Alliance

Elmer, LifeCare Alliance client, shown at home in his chair.

Grab bars, new step make WWII veteran’s home a safer place

By Featured News, Home Repairs, Meals-on-Wheels

LifeCare Alliance, with the help of a grant from Meals on Wheels America and Team Depot, made improvements in the home of a Navy veteran to help him move safely around his home.

Elmer served in World War II between 1945-1947, and is classified as an atomic veteran. During his service, his ship and shipmates would be near the atomic bomb testing areas for either testing or cleanup for the atomic bomb. At age 92, some simple home improvements were needed to ensure Elmer could remain independent in his home.

He came to LifeCare Alliance through a partnership with Focus Hillard, inside the Norwich Township Fire Department. Focus Hillard teams up with Doctors West hospital to link area residents with community resources and improve their quality of life. After speaking to Elmer’s daughter, Focus Hillard realized that in order for Elmer to able to get around his home safely, he would need grab bars and other improvements. That’s’ when Focus Hillard contacted LifeCare Alliance to seek assistance for the family.

LifeCare Alliance installed a number of grab bars around the home and inside the garage entranceway. A new step was built at the entrance of his garage, as well. According to his daughter, this has given Elmer a sense of safety and comfort moving around the home.

“Showering is not as difficult now, and we have a small ramp located in the kitchen area that leads down to the dining area,” she said. “LifeCare Alliance was able to come in and install a grab bar along the counter area where the ramp is located, and now he using that to steady himself going up and down the ramp.”

Elmer’s daughter expressed her gratitude for the help her father received.

“We would like to thank Focus Hilliard, LifeCare Alliance and the Home Depot Foundation for not only providing the repairs needed but also having such a great program and partnership to serve the veterans of this community.”

Before:

View of entrance before improvements

After:

View of entrance after step and grab bar installed

Eternally by Matt Munhall

By Meals-on-Wheels
Esteemed musician Matt Munhall wrote and recorded the song “Eternally” for LifeCare Alliance in 2010.
In the song, the agency’s tagline, “Nourishing the Human Spirit,” rings true both for the client being served and the volunteer who gives of herself to care for others.
The message in this song is dear to our Agency. Click the play button above to hear the song, and read along with the lyrics below.

Eternally

(©2010 Matt Munhall, Parker MacDonell)

Billy’s standing in his doorway at noon
When up the driveway comes Mary
Thinks to himself she’s not a moment too soon
He knows the treasure she carries
And he says,
“Ah, Mary, what would I do without you?
I just don’t know what I’d do”
And she says,
“I need you
Like you need me
I bring you bread and though it’s hard to see
When I feed you
You feed me
You nourish the spirit within me, eternally”
Sometimes it’s hard to find good souls that care
God bless the hearts that are giving
If not for them, I wonder who would be there
Who would keep the hungry souls living?
Ah, Lord, what would we do without you?
I just don’t know what we’d do
I need you
Like you need me
I bring you bread and though it’s hard to see
When I feed you
You feed me
You nourish the spirit within me
When you find yourself thinking
About all you’re not
Make your heart like Mary’s and give it all…
Give it all you got…cause someday
I’ll need you
Like you’ll need me
When you bring you bread and company
I’ll feed you
As you feed me
I’ll nourish the spirit within you, eternally

From our President & CEO: COVID-19 Update for LifeCare Alliance Volunteers and Supporters

By Featured News, Help-at-Home, Meals-on-Wheels, Volunteers

June 8, 2020 UPDATE

SERVICE UPDATES

Meals-on-Wheels numbers continue to grow.  Our food production and delivery teams continue to amaze.  

  • Meal delivery has increased by 68% since March 1st.
  • The number of home delivered meal clients increased by 54% since March 1st.
  • Most meal service starts within 24 hours of receiving the contact or referral.
  • We continue to receive numerous requests for services daily, and we CONTINUE TO ACCEPT ALL THOSE WHO QUALIFY.  This contrasts with a recent survey by Meals-on-Wheels of America which reports that 55% of programs nationally have increased their already existing waitlists, with 22% of programs’ waitlists having doubled or more.
  • Meals delivered by week for the past several weeks are:
    • Week of 5/31-6/6  =  25,884
    • Week of 5/24-5/30  =  25,065
    • Week of 5/17-5/23  =  25,423
    • Week of 5/10-5/16   =  25,315
    • Week of 5/3-5/9  =  25,190
    • Week of 4/26-5/2  =  24,998
    • Week of 4/19-4/25  =  23,622
    • Week of 4/12-4/18  =  22,489
    • Week of 4/5-4/11  =  20,839
    • Week of 3/29-4/4  =  19,857
    • Week of 3/22-3/28  =  18,571
    • Week of 3/15-3/21  =  16,413
    • Week of 3/8-3/14  =  15,752
    • Week of 3/1-3/7  =  15,439

 The Columbus Cancer Clinic continues to add new families in need of pantry service.  Almost all pantry items are being delivered to client homes.

  • This represents a 53% increase in the number of individuals served since January and 77 new families.
  • The Columbus Cancer Clinic restarted regular mammograms Monday, May 18.
  • Total clients served by the CCC pantry:
    • January = 974 individuals with 10 new client pantry families
    • April = 1,492 individuals with 27 new client pantry families

The Central Ohio Diabetes Association camps will be held as VIRTUAL CAMP in 2020, and have developed a number of interesting activities.  Campers will be divided into small groups like their “cabins” and work with their counselors.  Staff is planning potential in person activities for later this year.

Wellness is restarting several services including Wellness Centers.  TeleHealth will continue, but Wellness Centers began seeing clients last week, in a safe manner.

Meals-for-Kids—We expect sites to begin reopening for summer. 

Our Senior Farmers’ Market will continue with coupons being mailed, instead of holding a distribution day.  The farmers will deliver the produce to us in bulk and we will deliver it, or clients can pick up. 

Senior PetCare continues to deliver pet food to clients in need for their dogs and cats.

L.A. Catering has developed several “take out” and new methods of delivering a safe catering, so please use them for your upcoming reopening and graduation events.  Everything can be individually boxed.  I hope you will use our LA Catering as you plan your events.

IMPACT Safety is providing on line programming in a number of areas.

VOLUNTEER UPDATES

We continue to receive new volunteers each day, and have received 1,500 new volunteer applications online since March 16. Volunteers have insured that all meals, pet food, and pantry items are delivered. We still need more as many are returning to work.   

LIFECARE ALLIANCE IN THE MEDIA

LifeCare Alliance President & CEO Chuck Gehring appeared on the Columbus Metropolitan Club virtual meeting on Wednesday, May 13 at noon, along with Dr. Lisa Courtice, CEO of United Way of Central Ohio. The moderator was Colleen Marshall of WCMH NBC4. The topic was “Nonprofits’ Frontline Response”. If you missed this, simply go to the Columbus Metropolitan Club website and click on the May 13 event. It is also rerun on some cable channels. Other media coverage can be found here.

Previous updates

March 23, 2020 Update

Dear friends,

Today, Meals-on-Wheels drivers and volunteers are sharing stories from the front lines, as they serve those most in need. We want to share a couple of these stories with you, our most faithful supporters.

“Clients have cried with gratitude when receiving their meals – they weren’t sure if we would be continuing with our deliveries.”

“Upon arriving to a home, I [volunteer] heard a client yelling for help. I called 911 and waited for the EMT to arrive. Once inside the home, I saw that the client was lying on the floor unable to get up.”

Your generosity makes this possible and we are grateful!

Yesterday, Governor DeWine announced a “Stay at Home” Order, beginning at 11:59 pm tonight. You may have questions about what this means for LifeCare Alliance and our critical daily services. Governor DeWine and the Federal government acknowledge our services as essential, which must go on. We will continue to provide food and basic needs services to home-bound neighbors. In fact, the need for Meals-on-Wheels continues to increase daily from multiple sources:

  1. individuals who are shifting from congregate dining center sites to now receive home-delivered meals,
  2. older adults who are temporarily home-bound due to COVID-19 precautions,
  3. and most recently, neighbors with developmental disabilities who typically attend adult day programs, but have been temporarily closed.

We have implemented significant changes to our services over the past week, taking steps for staff to work remotely, reducing or suspending non-essential tasks, and making modifications to essential tasks to ensure the maximum amount of precaution possible. As always, we invite you to stay connected and informed through our website, and via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Volunteers—we still need you!

Healthy adults who can deliver meals are key to the success of caring for homebound neighbors during this time. THANK YOU to the hundreds of people who have already stepped up to serve.  You are so valued and so needed, and we are grateful for your commitment and compassion to the most vulnerable in our community. Please take a moment to review the most current procedures and updates below for Meals-on-Wheels and Groceries-to-Go pantry deliveries.

Donors—we still need you!

Many of you have already stepped up so generously to give an extra gift to help support the increased demand.  THANK YOU! With your help, we are on the frontlines of this pandemic, and quite literally the hands and feet that are providing life-sustaining services. If you would like to make a donation, you may do so by:

  1. Giving online at: https://www.lifecarealliance.org/donate/online-donation/
  2. Sending a check to: LifeCare Alliance, 1699 W. Mound Street, Columbus, OH 43223

Thank you for standing with us during this most critical time to ensure that we can continue serving those most in need in our community.

Your partner in Nourishing the Human Spirit,

Charles W. Gehring,
President & CEO

IMPORTANT MEALS-ON-WHEELS, PANTRY, & VOLUNTEER UPDATES:

To ensure that basic needs are met, while also implementing as much social distancing as possible, volunteers are temporarily approved to knock/ring the doorbell and leave the meal at the door—with visual confirmation that the client receives the meal.

  • Exceptions:
    • If you encounter a client who is too frail to reach all the way down to retrieve the meal from the front doorstep, please assist that client with moving a small chair/table outside for future deliveries, thus reducing future contact.
    • If you encounter a client who is bed-bound, please proceed with direct hand-off.
  • Temperature Checks: Due to the shortage of thermometers, we ask that volunteers check their temperature from home before arriving to volunteer.
  • We continue to need volunteers to delivery daily. We have established rapid response volunteer training sessions to help onboard new volunteers quickly and seamlessly.
    • New volunteers can begin by completing our online application here and attending an 11:00 am training at 670 Harmon Avenue, Columbus, OH 43223. Training will occur daily and volunteers may have the opportunity to deliver a route that day if there are openings.
    • Existing volunteers can sign up for an open route at any time online at: https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted
  • The Groceries-to-Go food pantry has moved to curbside pick-up and home delivery Monday – Friday, and is also in need of volunteers.  Volunteers are needed for both delivery and packing and preparation, and can apply and get started via the process noted above.

ADDITIONAL SERVICE UPDATES:

  • As telehealth options increase, our staff is putting measures in place to ensure that wellness and diabetes consultations can take place by phone.
  • Columbus Cancer Clinic activities have been modified so that essential functions like diagnostic screenings and food pantry assistance can continue. Non-essential screenings and activities have been suspended.
  • Help-at-Home services have been significantly reduced or modified to provide only essential tasks with as much precaution as possible.
  • Carrie’s Café is closed until further notice.
  • Congregate Dining Centers are closed and clients are now being moved to home-delivered meals.

ONGOING REMINDERS FOR VOLUNTEERS:

  • Please continue to observe the recommendation that volunteers not involve children in delivery at this time. If you must bring children on the route, please ensure that they stay in the car and not go up to the door.
  • If you have specific questions or concerns regarding your route or volunteering, please contact us at mowdriverssupervisors@lifecarealliance.org or 614-437-2891.
  • If you have known exposure, or are experiencing or exhibiting symptoms consistent with Coronavirus, according to the CDC—fever, shortness of breath, cough—we ask that you please stay home and not risk exposing others to possible illness. Please notify us via Meals-on-Wheels Scheduler, or the above contact information if you need to cancel.
  • Please practice the recommended precautions from the CDC – proper hand washing for at least twenty seconds, covering coughs/sneeze with your arm, staying home when sick, and avoiding exposure to others who are sick.

March 19, 2020 Update

To LifeCare Alliance Volunteers and Supporters:

We continue to navigate daily adjustments for COVID-19 precautions. Our highest priority is maintaining the most critical basic services for those who need daily food and care, while making necessary changes to modify or temporarily suspend non-critical services. Volunteer and program updates are ever-changing, and staff are preparing for increased work-from-home capacity wherever possible. Please take a moment to review our most recent update below and stay informed by visiting our website and following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay informed.

IMPORTANT MEALS-ON-WHEELS, PANTRY, & VOLUNTEER UPDATES:

The need for Meals-on-Wheels continues to increase daily—both from our congregate dining center clients who are now receiving home-delivered meals, and from an increased need in the community from older adults who are temporarily home-bound due to COVID-19 precautions.  To ensure that basic needs are met, while also implementing as much social distancing as possible, volunteers are temporarily approved to knock/ring the doorbell and leave the meal at the door—with visual confirmation that the client receives the meal.

Exceptions:

    • If you encounter a client who is too frail to reach all the way down to retrieve the meal from the front doorstep, please assist that client with moving a small chair/table outside for future deliveries, thus reducing future contact.
    • If you encounter a client who is bed-bound, please proceed with direct hand-off.

Concerns:

    • If you have a concern for the well-being of a client, please report that to Meals-on-Wheels staff by:
      • Making a note on the delivery record.
      • Completing an observation report.
      • Calling the driver supervisors at 614-437-2891.

Temperature Checks coming soon! We are working to get thermometers onsite, and will begin taking temperatures upon entry to all of our buildings.

We continue to need volunteers to delivery daily. We have established rapid response volunteer training to help on-board new volunteers quickly and seamlessly.

  • New volunteers can begin same-day by completing our online application here and attending a 11:00 am training at 670 Harmon Avenue, Columbus, OH 43223. Training will occur daily for any new volunteers to join that day.
  • Existing volunteers can sign up for an open route at any time online at: https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted

The Groceries-to-Go food pantry has moved to curbside pick-up and home delivery. Volunteers are needed for both delivery and packing and preparation, and can apply and get started via the process noted above.

ADDITIONAL SERVICE UPDATES:

  • As telehealth options increases, our staff is putting measures in place to ensure that wellness and diabetes consultations can take place by phone.
  • Columbus Cancer Clinic activities have been modified so that essential functions like diagnostic screenings and food pantry assistance can continue. Non-essential screenings and activities have been suspended.
  • Help-at-Home services have been significantly reduced or modified to provide only essential tasks with as much precaution as possible.
  • Carrie’s Café is closed until further notice.
  • Congregate Dining Centers are closed and clients are now being moved to home-delivered meals.

ONGOING REMINDERS FOR VOLUNTEERS:

  • Please continue to observe the recommendation that volunteers not involve children in delivery at this time. If you must bring children on the route, please ensure that they stay in the car and not go up to the door.
  • If you have specific questions or concerns regarding your route or volunteering, please contact us at mowdriverssupervisors@lifecarealliance.org or 614-437-2891.
  • If you have known exposure, or are experiencing or exhibiting symptoms consistent with Coronavirus, according to the CDC—fever, shortness of breath, cough—we ask that you please stay home and not risk exposing others to possible illness. Please notify us via Meals-on-Wheels Scheduler, or the above contact information if you need to cancel.
  • Please practice the recommended precautions from the CDC – proper hand washing for at least twenty seconds, covering coughs/sneeze with your arm, staying home when sick, and avoiding exposure to others who are sick.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT:

Thank you to those who have already stepped up to support!  We are truly in this together as a community—and our staff and clients are feeling that sentiment in very real ways right now.  While our staff is being stretched daily to implement new procedures to ensure that those most in need receive care during this time, we are also acutely aware that there has never been a time in recent history where critical missions like ours has been at the center of national discussion.  People everywhere are getting a small glimpse of what home-bound neighbors face daily.

  • Volunteers are our biggest need right now.  If you are able to help, please sign up to volunteer through the process indicated above.
  • Like many in our community, we are already seeing significant impact from the implications of COVID-19, by way of revenue losses, cancellations, etc.  If you would like to make a donation, please do so by:

Your partner in Nourishing the Human Spirit,

Charles W. Gehring,
President & CEO

March 16, 2020 Update

To LifeCare Alliance Volunteers and Supporters:

As COVID-19 continues to spread, and officials continue to recommend increased social distancing and closures, LifeCare Alliance is monitoring the situation.  We are making adjustments to critical nutrition and health services that we provide daily.  As you know, our clients are among the most vulnerable in our community—and thus, the need for our services to continue is paramount.  Thank you for your continued support to ensure that those most in need can receive basic needs during this time.  Please take a moment to review our most recent update below to learn how we are continuing to both protect and provide for the wellbeing of our clients, staff, and volunteers.  You can also see current updates by visiting our website and following us on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram to stay informed.

PROGRAM UPDATES:

  1. Most core programs and services are currently still operating, within the recommended parameters set by our state and local officials. As long as we are able, we plan to continue services, with an emphasis on the most basic needs, such as food.  As service changes arise, we will continue to keep our community updated, and communicate specifically with impacted service areas.  Agency and program leadership is continuing to put both process and reporting protocols in place, to ensure that we can make any necessary modifications going forward.
  2. Current program closures/alterations:
    • Carrie’s Café is closed, effective Monday, March 16, 2020.
    • Congregate Dining Centers will be closed by Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Dining center clients will have the option to receive home-delivered meals.
    • Our Groceries-to-Go food pantry is taking steps to move completely to curbside pick-up and home delivery. Additional details will be provided soon.

IMPORTANT MEALS-ON-WHEELS DELIVERY UPDATE:

  1. We have received guidance from our regulatory bodies and funders.  In the interest of public health, Meals-on-Wheels programs statewide have been given permission to temporarily suspend the customer signature requirement at time of meal delivery.  This means that the volunteer’s signature on the delivery record will suffice until the risk level lessens.  As the situation continues to develop and evolve throughout central Ohio, we will keep you all posted through email and delivery record alerts.
  2. Medical experts have shared that children can be carriers, even without exhibiting symptoms, so we recommend that volunteers not involve children in delivery at this time. If you must bring children on the route, please ensure that they stay in the car and not go up to the door.
  3. We continue to need volunteers to delivery daily. We have established rapid response volunteer training to help on-board new volunteers quickly and seamlessly.
    • New volunteers can begin same-day by completing our online application here and attending a 10:00 am training at 670 Harmon Avenue, Columbus, OH 43223. Training will occur daily for any new volunteers to join that day.
    • Existing volunteers can sign up for an open route at any time online at: https://lifecare.mowscheduler.com/helpwanted

ONGOING REMINDERS FOR VOLUNTEERS:

  1. Should meal routes or other activities be further altered, we will proactively communicate with volunteers who are scheduled or impacted by the change. Please watch for future updates. If you have specific questions or concerns regarding your route or volunteering, please contact us at mowdriverssupervisors@lifecarealliance.org or 614-437-2891.
  2. If you are experiencing or exhibiting symptoms consistent with Coronavirus, according to the CDC—fever, shortness of breath, cough—we ask that you please stay home and not risk exposing others to possible illness. Please notify us via Meals-on-Wheels Scheduler, or the above contact information if you need to cancel.
  3. Please practice the recommended precautions from the CDC – proper hand washing for at least twenty seconds, covering coughs/sneeze with your arm, staying home when sick, and avoiding exposure to others who are sick.

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT:

  1. Volunteers are our biggest need right now. If you are able to help, please sign up to volunteer through the process indicated above.
  2. Like many in our community, we are already seeing significant impact from the implications of COVID-19, by way of revenue losses, cancellations, etc. If you would like to make a donation, please do so by:

Times like these shine a spotlight on the critical importance of LifeCare Alliance’s services—today and every day—and we are grateful for your partnership. YOU make it possible to uphold our mission and to care for central Ohio neighbors most in need. Thank you for your care, concern, and commitment during this unprecedented time.

Your partner in Nourishing the Human Spirit,

Charles W. Gehring
President and CEO

March 10, 2020 Update

A Special Message to LifeCare Alliance Volunteers and Supporters:

Thank you for being on the front lines of serving our homebound seniors each day throughout central Ohio.  As the state of Ohio now has confirmed cases of COVID-19, we want to share an important update with you as we continue to closely monitor the risk and spread of the coronavirus.

We continue to take important steps to plan for possible scenarios, and receive daily updates from the Ohio Department of Health, Franklin County Board of Health, and Columbus Public Health.  Our leadership team is in regular communication with necessary partners and parties to keep a pulse on the situation and risk.  Please take a moment to read a few important updates below.

  • All agency programs are currently operating normally and we do not anticipate a disruption in services. However, out of an abundance of caution, we are planning for contingency scenarios, as well as taking appropriate precautions to ensure the health and well-being of our clients, as well as our dedicated staff and volunteers.
  • Should meal routes or other activities be altered, we will proactively communicate with volunteers who are scheduled or impacted by the change. Please watch for future updates, should we have new information to share.  If you have specific questions or concerns regarding your route or volunteering, please contact us at mowdriverssupervisors@lifecarealliance.org or 614-437-2891.
  • If you are experiencing or exhibiting symptoms consistent with the coronavirus, according to the CDC — fever, shortness of breath, cough — we ask that you please stay home and not risk exposing others to possible illness. Please notify us via Meals-on-Wheels Scheduler, by email at mowdriverssupervisors@lifecarealliance.org, or by phone at 614-437-2891 if you need to cancel for your route.
  • Please practice the recommended precautions from the CDC — proper handwashing for at least twenty seconds, covering coughs/sneezes with your arm, staying home when sick, and avoiding exposure to others who are sick.

Like many of you, we are concerned for those most vulnerable among us, many of whom are the clients we serve.  Know that we are committed to serving our clients as long as we are able, while taking steps to modify or alter service deliver if/when necessary.  Thank you for your shared concern.  We will provide future updates as new information becomes available.

Your partner in Nourishing the Human Spirit,

Charles W. Gehring,
President and CEO

Click the photo above for information on COVID-19 from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Click the Franklin County Public Health logo above for local COVID-19 updates.

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LifeCare Alliance Announces 2020 Volunteer Recognition Dates

By Carrie's Cafe, Columbus Cancer Clinic, Events, Fan Campaign, Featured News, Help-at-Home, IMPACT Safety, Meals-on-Wheels, Senior PetCare, Volunteers

Each year, we take the time to thank our outstanding volunteers who embody our motto of “Nourishing the Human Spirit.”

Our volunteer base is the heart of LifeCare Alliance, and the work that volunteers do is so valuable to our Agency and our clients alike. More than 100 volunteers are needed every single day to deliver Meals-on-Wheels, run errands, assist with light housekeeping tasks, assist at a Senior Dining or Wellness Center, serve on a board, make favors for our clients, or help in the office.

Volunteers come together as individuals, corporations, families, and groups with the energy and enthusiasm needed to carry out the mission of LifeCare Alliance. Because of the volunteer base, LifeCare Alliance is able to continue serving clients without a waiting list, keeping homebound older adults and individuals with a medical challenge or disability safe, independent, and in their own homes — where they want to be!

Below is information on the locations, dates and times of recognition events throughout our service area. Please join us!

 

LifeCare Alliance Recognition
Monday, April 27, 2020 — 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
L.A. Catering Event Center, 670 Harmon Ave. Columbus, OH 43223

Columbus Cancer Clinic/CODA/Help-at-Home/IMPACT Safety
Monday, April 20, 2020 — 11:00 – 1:00 p.m.
L.A. Catering Event Center, 670 Harmon Ave. Columbus, OH 43223

Logan County Recognition
Tuesday, April 14, 2020 — 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Hilliker YMCA, 300 Sloan Blvd. Bellefontaine, OH 43311

Champaign County Recognition
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 — 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Champaign County Library, 1060 Scioto Street Urbana, OH 43078

Marion County Recognition
Thursday, April 23, 2020 — 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Marion Senior Center, 2375 Harding Hwy E, Marion, OH 43302

Dining Center Recognition
Wednesday, April 1, 2020 — 11:00 – 1:00 p.m.
L.A. Catering Event Center, 670 Harmon Ave. Columbus, OH 43223

Madison County Recognition
Tuesday, May 5, 2020 — 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
St.Patrick’s Church, 61 S. Union St., London, OH 43140

ABOVE: Longtime supporter and volunteer John McHugh with his Spirit Award.

Our Corporate Adopt-a-Route Partners

By Meals-on-Wheels, Volunteers
  • Abbott Nutrition
  • Add Ventures
  • Alliance Data
  • Alvis
  • American Electric Power
  • American Structure Point
  • Arbors West
  • ARC Industries
  • Ashland Chemical
  • Aspen Community Living
  • Assurex Global
  • A2Z
  • Bailey Cavalieri
  • Barnes & Thornburg LLP
  • Bath & Body Works
  • Belle Springs Nursing & Rehabilitation
  • Big Lots!
  • Byers Auto
  • Byers Mazda-Subaru
  • Cardinal Health
  • CBRE
  • Century 21
  • Champaign Transit System
  • Char’s Market
  • Chase Brooksedge
  • Chase Polaris
  • Cheryl & Co.
  • Choice Properties
  • Citibank
  • City of Bellefontaine
  • Clear Path Benefits
  • Cleverley & Associates
  • CMax Advisors
  • Cogburn Electric
  • Columbia Gas
  • Columbus Business First
  • Community Partners
  • Corna Kokosing
  • Cover My Meds
  • Crown Appraisal Group
  • Diamond Hill Investments
  • Donato’s/Grote Co.
  • Downsize Farm
  • DSW
  • Ease Logistics
  • Ernst & Young
  • Everhart Advisors
  • Findley
  • Fitness Loft
  • Flexco Fleet
  • Franklin Co. Residential Services
  • Goodwill Columbus
  • Grange Insurance
  • HER Realtors
  • Hollywood Casino
  • Homeside Financial
  • Huntington National Bank
  • Hurt-Battelle Memorial Library
  • Hylant Group
  • IEG Plastics
  • Indus Hotels
  • JAG Healthcare
  • Jefferson Industries Corp.
  • Jet Container
  • Key Bank
  • Kimball Midwest
  • Kindred Nursing & Rehab Marion
  • KPMG
  • Krazy Glue
  • LifeCare Alliance
  • Logan County Auditor’s Office
  • Loth Inc.
  • Loving Care Hospice
  • Madison Health
  • Mettler Toledo
  • Madison County DJFS
  • Marca Industries
  • Marion Technical College
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Motorists Mutual Insurance Group
  • National Church Residences
  • Nationwide Insurance
  • Nexceris, LLC
  • Nissen Chemitec America
  • Ohio State University
  • OSU East Hospital
  • Palmer-Donavin
  • PCS
  • Performance Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge
  • Priority Designs
  • QSCC
  • Quantum Health
  • Quest Federal Credit Union
  • Resourcing Edge
  • RTC Industries
  • Rumpke
  • Safelite AutoGlass
  • Savings Bank of London
  • School Employees Retirement System of Ohio
  • Sherwin Williams
  • Sika Corporation
  • State Auto
  • Staples
  • Think CSC
  • Turner Construction
  • Unicon
  • UPS
  • Verizon
  • Vertiiv Company
  • Weldon
  • Walmart
  • Washington Prime
  • Westerville Public Library
  • Worthington Industries
  • Zest Juice Co.
Meals-on-Wheels logo

Changes ahead for Meals-on-Wheels volunteers

By Featured News, Meals-on-Wheels, Volunteers

Volunteers should take note of a few changes coming to LifeCare Alliance’s Meals-on-Wheels program in the first quarter of 2020.

Route names

In January, the existing route names of the Meals-on-Wheels will be changing. This is due to a significant software change with our client database. There are some great things that will come with this:

  • Route names will be more intuitive to where they are picked up. For instance, if you currently deliver V402, which picks up at Epworth United Methodist Church, the new route name will be FEPW2. This is short for Franklin – Epworth – 2.
  • Routing will be done on a daily basis using geolocation based on active customers for that day and (relatively) real-time traffic. This will allow us to be more precise with the structure and flow of our routes.
  • Once these new route names are fully established, we will share with you the new name for each of the existing routes.

Electronic delivery records

For the last few months, we have been piloting electronic delivery records with a majority of our weekday Meals-on-Wheels routes that pick up at Harmon Avenue. To do this, we are providing tablets enabled with the “Mobile Meals” application, as well as real-time consumer and directional data. This application will replace the paper delivery records that you currently use. We are preparing to roll out the tablets and application to all of our routes throughout early 2020. There are some fantastic things that come with this:

  • You will be able to get real-time directions for your route via the tablet.
  • You will be able to enter notes to the office regarding your route and consumers on your route that we will receive from you electronically in real-time.
  • We will be reaching out to everyone relatively soon with training information on how to use the tablets and the application. We also will share information on in-person training sessions that we will offer for those who would like a more hands-on training.

Learn more

For more information on these changes, call 614-278-3152 or click here to contact Nutrition Programs Director Molly Haroz.

Safelite AutoGlass Foundation Grants $25,000 for Unfunded Meals

By Featured News, Meals-on-Wheels

New grant funding from the Safelite AutoGlass Foundation will allow LifeCare Alliance to deliver more than 3,500 meals to clients for whom traditional funding does not exist.

Funding for nutrition services to low-income, underserved populations is typically linked to eligibility requirements such as age. Oftentimes, individuals who are most in need of consistent, nutritious meals do not meet these requirements. Additionally, a senior or medically challenged individual may qualify for a hot meal at lunch, but they may require help to prepare their dinner due to mobility, financial, and/or support system limitations.

The $25,000 Impact Grant that LifeCare Alliance received from the Safelite AutoGlass Foundation will provide 3,571 unfunded client meals. This is a critical safety net for clients who need an increased level of service where other community support does not exist. Meals-on-Wheels continues to expand based on growing need in the community, and the Agency is dedicated to accepting all clients in need, regardless of the presence of a funding source for their meals.

In addition to the support from its foundation, Safelite AutoGlass also partners with LifeCare Alliance through volunteer efforts. In fact, this past Wednesday, a number of Safelite employees volunteered in our Groceries-to-Go nutritional program. Groceries-to-Go provides both fresh and shelf-stable food, personal hygiene products, and household cleaning supplies to clients of the Columbus Cancer Clinic living with active cancer. In 2018, the program provided 46,503 meals to 382 clients and their families. Volunteers help stock shelves and shop for clients.

This group of dedicated volunteers also donated $2,000 to purchase turkeys for the Groceries-to-Go nutritional program to distribute to clients for Thanksgiving. We are so thankful for their willingness to Nourish the Human Spirit, especially during the holidays when many may not be able to afford their own turkey.

Safelite AutoGlass also adopts a Meals-on-Wheels route each week and has faithfully delivered since April 1, 2011. Over the course of a year, Safelite employees volunteer 1,040 hours and deliver 3,900 meals. As of their 8-year anniversary on April 1, 2019, Safelite has saved the Agency around $100,000 because each meal route delivered by volunteers instead of a paid driver adds up to $12,000 annually.

Safelite AutoGlass’s support of LifeCare Alliance’s nutrition programs is truly an investment in the community: the health and nutrition services the Agency provides play a key role in keeping clients safe and independent in the comfort of their own homes. AARP calculates that Ohio taxpayers fund nursing home care at an average annual cost of $78,840 per person. By serving these same individuals at a fraction of that cost, LifeCare Alliance saves taxpayers money while serving the community. For example, when the Agency helps to keep 100 clients in their home, Ohio taxpayers save more than $7.8 million. These services equate to a multi-billion dollar effect on the community.

LifeCare Alliance clients also average five fewer days a year in hospitals than those with comparable demographics, saving funds which equate to the cost of more than five years’ worth of client meals. When clients receive consistent, nutritious meals, potentially debilitating and costly health outcomes are prevented, leading to lower rates of hospitalization. Providing clients with their most basic need — food — regardless of their ability to pay for services, allows these individuals to better manage their finances. This ensures that clients no longer face the difficult decision between paying rent/mortgage to remain in their home and buying groceries to feed themselves. LifeCare Alliance’s services are vital in preventing unnecessary homelessness, hospitalization, and institutionalization.

Food 911: How Meals-on-Wheels Redefines Population Health

By Diabetes Education, Featured News, Help-at-Home, Meals-on-Wheels, Wellness

In September 2019, LifeCare Alliance was awarded a 3-year $750,000 grant from the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration on Community Living (ACL) to expand our innovative model of care. While this model has been piloted and in progress since June of 2018, the grant will allow us to increase internal case management and referral infrastructure, collect health outcome data to measure the effectiveness of LifeCare Alliance interventions, and complete a thorough evaluation of collected data. Once concluded, LifeCare Alliance will publish and disseminate the findings to seek reimbursement for our holistic, one-stop-shop service model. Ultimately, the goal is to produce research that will allow for replication of our model across the nation.

Certainly, agency volunteers, staff, and supporters know firsthand the incredible impact of our services, as they partner in serving clients 365 days a year; however, the ability to quantify the successful outcomes and results will pave the way for future sustainability, relevance, and leverage in the ever-changing healthcare industry. This innovative network of referrals and information sharing is for clients who frequently depend on emergency services for basic needs.  This innovation is critical to ensuring that members of our community can age safely in place through a collaborative approach to care.

Meet Jerry and Marsha:

Jerry and Marsha, who live with the challenges of diabetes, were referred by their physician for an in-home consultation with LifeCare Alliance’s registered dietitian.  The couple, 74 and 68 years old, respectively, deal with many health concerns that began about a year ago. During that time, Marsha suffered a collapsed lung during surgery.  A month later, she tried the surgery again, but this time it was even worse—her organs began to shut down and her surgery was delayed again.  During Marsha’s healing process, they learned that Jerry needed back surgery and a pacemaker.  Because Jerry was Marsha’s only caregiver, this presented a challenge. That’s when Marsha contacted LifeCare Alliance’s Meals-on-Wheels program to sign up for the frozen meal program.

 “Meals-on-Wheels saved us,” said Marsha.  “Jerry and I are both diabetic, and we learned we could have a registered dietitian come to our home to help with meal planning as clients of LifeCare Alliance, we both took advantage of the service.  Now we know how to take control of our carbs and plan our meals with confidence.”

Jerry and Marsha are one story of many positive outcomes of Food 911: How Meals-on-Wheels Redefines Population Health. The impact of remaining together, independent, and in their own home—where they want to be—is significant, especially during this holiday season.

Meet the Faces of Innovation:

Molly Haroz, Director of Nutrition Programs, and Melinda Rowe, Wellness Services Director, are part of the incredible team at LifeCare Alliance that is implementing this innovative project. Understanding the challenges that many of our older adult neighbors face every day to maintain a healthy independent lifestyle, with dignity in the comfort of their own homes, the two directors have worked closely together to lay the groundwork that led to receiving the grant.

We know that the need is great!  There are still many in our community—including older adults, medical professionals, first responders, and insurance and health systems—who are not yet aware of this innovative approach. We are eager to continue spreading the word to help intercept those who are managing chronic, or even crisis, health situations. During the pilot process, we have seen that the majority of these citizens call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room to receive help with food, home repairs, etc.—services which hospital or paramedics are unable to fulfill. LifeCare Alliance’s goal is to make sure that our neighbors in need do not slip through the cracks, as they navigate complex health situations. By partnering with local fire departments and healthcare providers to refer “frequent flyers” or repeat visitors for ongoing in-home services, we are able to welcome new clients through our comprehensive array of health and nutrition programming.

Randy Little, Fire Chief of the Jackson Township Fire Department in Grove City, Ohio said of the initiative, “we have seen anecdotally how valuable LifeCare Alliance’s services are to our township residents and we look forward to continuing to grow and enhance our partnership, especially since we’ve seen such improvements in the lives of those we have referred to LifeCare Alliance.”

Tim Hill, Regional Manager-Ohio East of American Health Network of Ohio, LLC, said, “our patients come to our providers repeatedly for the same types of injuries that could have been prevented with proper nutrition, homemaking help, or even simple home repairs such as grab bar installations.  We have found that when needs are met, elderly patients often can function safely in their own homes without making multiple visits to our healthcare facilities on a weekly or monthly basis.”

Our heartfelt thanks to you, our supporters, who help make it possible for LifeCare Alliance to be innovative in meeting the needs of more than 30,000 clients each year. We look forward to sharing continued updates about the progress of this exciting project!

LifeCare Alliance joins Subaru, Meals on Wheels America to Share the Love

By Featured News, Meals-on-Wheels, Press Releases

LifeCare Alliance is proud to announce that it will be participating in the 2019 Subaru Share the Love Event as a member of Meals on Wheels America – one of four national Share the Love charitable partners supported through the campaign. From November 14, 2019, through January 2, 2020, Subaru of America will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased to the customer’s choice of participating charities.

“We are proud to partner with Subaru of America for another year of Share the Love,” said LifeCare Alliance President & CEO Chuck Gehring. “Their enthusiastic support is invaluable as we continue to serve all eligible clients in need.”

Participating Meals on Wheels America members, like LifeCare Alliance, will receive a share of the donation raised by Subaru in their state. LifeCare Alliance has partnered with Central Ohio Subaru Dealers to raise awareness for the popular year-end sales and giving event, and drive support for Meals on Wheels.

“Meals on Wheels America is proud to partner with Subaru of America for the 12th consecutive year to enable more seniors to live with independence and dignity,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels America. “Since 2008, the Subaru Share the Love Event has helped deliver more than 2.2 million meals and friendly visits to vulnerable seniors nationwide. We’re enormously grateful to Subaru and its retailers for their long-standing commitment to Meals on Wheels and the millions of seniors who depend on it for nourishment and companionship.”

Over the last 11 years, Subaru of America and its participating retailers have donated more than $145 million to its charity partners. This year’s Subaru Share the Love Event is on track to bring that total to over $170 million, proving there’s no limit to the amount of love we can all share.

LifeCare Alliance will receive a share of funds raised through Subaru of America’s Share the Love campaign.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

This November 14, 2019, through January 2, 2020, for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased, Subaru will donate $250 to the customer’s choice of participating charities.* Meals on Wheels is one of four national participating charities and has been since the inception of the event. Through this event, as a member of Meals on Wheels America, LifeCare Alliance will receive a share of the donation from Subaru vehicles sold at participating Subaru Retailers.

You might not be in the market to purchase a new car, but if you are, please look into the Subaru Share the Love Event to learn more. If you’re not shopping for a new vehicle, you can still help by spreading the word to your family and friends. A few quick and easy ways to do that:

And remember: this holiday season you can ensure our senior neighbors are not forgotten, when you purchase or lease a new Subaru and select Meals on Wheels as your charity of choice.

For more information, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/sharethelove.

*Disclaimer: Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 14, 2019, through January 2, 2020, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 15, 2020. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc.

UPS Foundation awards $5,000 grant for Meals-on-Wheels program

By Featured News, Meals-on-Wheels

LifeCare Alliance is the proud recipient of a $5,000 grant from the UPS Foundation to upgrade technology for the Meals-on-Wheels program.

UPS employees graciously volunteered their time for LifeCare Alliance in 2018, helping to feed hungry seniors. UPS employees participate in the corporate “Adopt-a-Route” program by covering a Meals-on-Wheels route one day per week. Each meal route delivered by a volunteer instead of a paid driver saves the Agency $12,000 annually. LifeCare Alliance qualified to apply for this funding because of the considerable contributions of local UPS employees to the Agency.

Earlier this week, LifeCare Alliance welcomed UPS employees to our Harmon Avenue location. They volunteered their time to deliver three frozen meal routes and prepare meal bags in our distribution kitchen.

Over the course of 2018, 67 volunteers delivered 1,302 meals and accumulated 208 hours of service. In addition to the Meals-on-Wheels route coverage, another local UPS employee group visits Carrie’s Café quarterly for a meeting and lunch in the morning and volunteering in the afternoon. Some from that group work in the Meals-on-Wheels distribution kitchen to assist packing the meal bags with meals, beverages, fruit, and sides. Others in the group assisted with the Senior PetCare program, breaking down food into manageable five pound bags for delivery and distribution to clients with pets. This group of volunteers gave an additional 36 hours in 2018. Overall, the UPS associates volunteered over 240 hours of their time to LifeCare Alliance, and the Agency greatly appreciates their service to our clients. As a result of UPS employees’ donating their time in this way, LifeCare Alliance became eligible to apply for funding from the corporation’s charitable arm, the UPS Foundation. We are thrilled to partner with the foundation to make capital improvements in our Meals-on-Wheels program, which will allow for increased efficiency and effectiveness.

Meals-on-Wheels provides nourishing food and a daily visit to older adults and individuals living with a medical challenge and/or disability in central Ohio. The program delivers approximately 5,000 meals a day and provides meals for children in day care and after-school programs. Individuals in these vulnerable populations often face financial, physical, and support system barriers, which put them at risk for hunger, chronic health issues, and/or social isolation. The provision of home-delivered meals addresses these barriers by providing nutritious, delicious food and socialization to clients, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay for such services. In addition to healthy food access, these clients receive health and nutrition education and linkage to community resources and other LifeCare Alliance programs to ensure that their needs are met holistically. Examples of these include the Senior PetCare program, which delivers pet food to the homes of clients and provides veterinary care to pets in need, and the Beat the Heat Fan Campaign, which supplies box fans during the hot summer months.

The overarching goal of LifeCare Alliance’s health and nutrition programs is to keep clients safe and independent in the comfort of their own homes, where they ultimately want to remain as long as possible. AARP estimates that Ohio taxpayers fund nursing home care at an average annual cost of $78,840 per person (Genworth Cost of Care Survey 2017). By serving these same individuals at home for a fraction of that cost, the Agency saves taxpayers money while serving the community. When individuals receive the appropriate nutrition levels and health assessments, potentially debilitating and costly health outcomes are prevented and circumvented.

An increasing number of employees state that being able to give back to the community is a leading factor in choosing the company for which they will work; LifeCare Alliance offers this unique volunteer program for central Ohio employers to provide this opportunity to their employees. Volunteer engagement is one of the strategies LifeCare Alliance uses to increase its organizational and programmatic effectiveness. Volunteerism promotes relationship building, community engagement, and a healthy work-life balance for employees, while giving them the opportunity to give back. The Agency has emerged as a national leader in volunteer engagement, merger collaborations, and social entrepreneurship. Because of these efforts, LifeCare Alliance is one of few nonprofits in major metropolitan areas in the country still accepting qualified clients in need without a waiting list.

We salute UPS and the UPS Foundation for the generosity of their time in helping us Nourish the Human Spirit.

UPS employees volunteer with LifeCare Alliance’s Meals-on-Wheels program.

UPS employees load frozen meals for delivery to LifeCare Alliance Meals-on-Wheels clients.

UPS employees prepare delivery bags for LifeCare Alliance’s Meals-on-Wheels program.

LifeCare Alliance, DAV partnership provides veterans with in-home support

By Featured News, Help-at-Home, Meals-on-Wheels

LifeCare Alliance is proud to be in partnership with Disabled American Veterans as they provide grants to help fund our Help-at-Home program.

Help-at-Home provides personal care assistants and direct support care workers who assist with daily living activities such as bathing, fall prevention, and basic household chores. Living independently and safely in the comfort of one’s own home is a great source of joy in an older adult’s life. Help-at-Home ensures ill, elderly, and disabled individuals have adequate, clean, and safe housing. Last year alone, the program served 102 veterans in the central Ohio area.

The Disabled Americans Veterans Charitable Service Trust (DAV) has been serving veterans in America since 1920, and even has its origins in Ohio! The nonprofit was first organized by Judge Robert Marx of Cincinnati as the Disabled American Veteran of the World War (DAVWW). After the devastation that took place during World War I, Judge Marx and other organizers noticed veterans were not getting adequate care. They started the DAVWW locally, and then formed the national organization in 1921 with the purpose of “building better lives for all of our Nation’s disabled veterans and their families.”

Almost one hundred years later, the DAV continues its mission of serving veterans in need of assistance.

As a result of support from the DAV Charitable Service Trust, Help-at-Home has been able to provide continuous, ongoing services to veterans needing assistance with personal care and daily living activities. If veterans are injured or have disabilities, it is crucial to provide this safety net service which allows them to remain in their homes. Homemakers also provide a critical daily visit to these individuals, which serves as a health and well-being check-in to ensure that all of the client’s needs are met. Typically, these homebound individuals would be socially isolated if not for these visits.

Many Help-at-Home clients also receive a daily nutritional meal and visit through Meals-on-Wheels, but need additional services like the ones provided by Help-at-Home in order to continue to live a vibrant life. For example, an individual who requires a walker for mobility can get around enough to live on their own, but lack the ability to clean their bathroom efficiently without the possibility of falling. A clean living environment is vital to keeping clients healthy and safe in their own home.

Without funding partners like the DAV, LifeCare Alliance would not be able to serve our veteran neighbors with responsive, compassionate, and quality care. Thank you to the DAV for your steadfast commitment to build and strengthen the lives of our nation’s veterans!

Judge Robert Marx

Garden Product from ScottsMiracle-Gro Helps LifeCare Alliance Nourish the Human Spirit

By Featured News, LA Catering, Meals-on-Wheels, Volunteers

For over 150 years, The ScottsMiracle-Gro Company has been contributing to the success of central Ohio’s gardens.

Recently, LifeCare Alliance was awarded garden product from this stalwart of the community in the form of:

  • 75 bags of Garden Soil
  • 25 bags of Topsoil
  • 15 bags of Mulch
  • 35 bags of Plant Food
  • 20 bags of Hummus & Manure.

Using these products in gardens located at 1699 W. Mound St. and 670 Harmon Ave. has allowed LifeCare Alliance to cultivate a number of herbs and fresh vegetables for use in our flagship dining center, Carrie’s Café, and for the Agency’s social enterprise, L.A. Catering.

For the 2019 growing season, a volunteer tends the Mound Street and Harmon Avenue gardens. Mr. Lynch has volunteered with LifeCare Alliance’s Meals-on-Wheels program since November of 2013. Through this work, he visits elderly and homebound clients to deliver hot, nutritious meals, as well as to provide a basic wellness check. His contribution has truly helped Nourish the Human Spirit as he has devoted countless hours to the success of our gardens this growing season.

LifeCare Alliance Chef Rob Harrison and Catering Director David Imwalle estimate that the gardens have produced about 80 pounds of tomatoes thus far this season, and they are still yielding additional fruit. The Mound Street garden has also produced Brussels sprouts, carrots, scallions, and tarragon, while the Harmon Avenue garden has produced at least one pound each of parsley, cilantro, sage, basil, oregano, jalapenos, and banana peppers.

At Carrie’s Café, the herbs are used to season soups and daily entrees since fresh herbs are often more flavorful than dried. The tomatoes are added to the daily selection of salads. Clients enjoy knowing they are eating produce that was just harvested from the gardens on LifeCare Alliance property. It adds a lot to their experience of dining at Carrie’s. L.A. Catering features the tomatoes on platters of fresh vegetables, in salads, and for stir frys. All proceeds of both entities are funneled back into the Agency to continue serving clients with our core values of compassion, accountability, respect, excellence, and sustainability at the forefront.

The overall benefit of the garden project to the community has been the ability of LifeCare Alliance to continue providing healthy, delicious meals to its clients. The health and nutrition services that LifeCare Alliance provides directly contribute to an individual’s ability to remain safe and independent in the comfort of their own home. AARP estimates that Ohio taxpayers fund nursing home care at an average annual cost of $78,840 per person. By serving these same individuals at home for a fraction of that cost, LifeCare Alliance saves taxpayers money while serving the community. When individuals receive the appropriate nutrition levels and regular health assessments, potentially debilitating and costly health outcomes are prevented.

Garden product support from The ScottsMiracle-Gro Company allowed the Agency to continue to serve all clients in need, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay, while operating without a waiting list for services. By providing its own stream of revenue through social enterprise, LifeCare Alliance is securing sustainable funding for all of its programs for years to come. Thank you, ScottsMiracle-Gro!

LifeCare Alliance helps veteran fix costly code violations with help of Team Depot, Meals on Wheels America

By Featured News, Home Repairs, Meals-on-Wheels

LifeCare Alliance, with the help of a grant from Meals on Wheels America and Team Depot, helped a local veteran with home repairs that improved safety hazards and helped avoid costly city code enforcement violations.

Richard is an Army veteran who spent two years in Korea in 1970-71. His home was in need of repairs to the front concrete steps, as well as missing gutters and fascia boards.

“The repair that was completed by LifeCare Alliance and Home Depot changed my life tremendously because I did not have the finances to fix the home nor did I have the finances to pay the code violation fine,” Richard said.  “I just wanted to add that the contractors did fantastic job and I really appreciate all that you were able to do for me to get me out of the hole.”

LifeCare Alliance has worked with the City of Columbus Code Enforcement Department to help veterans with repairs to avoid going to court over code violations. Code enforcement often will grant some leniency when LifeCare Alliance is involved in veterans’ repairs, knowing that the Agency will be providing assistance.

“I am very proud to see that we live in a city that takes great pride and helping our residents instead of penalizing the underserved,” said Maurice Elder, who administers the Chores program for LifeCare Alliance. “This partnership has been great, to ensure the safety of our residents in the community who proudly served our country.”

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Big Lots planning fiesta with Meals-on-Wheels clients

By Featured News, Meals-on-Wheels

Have you ever wondered about the different ways you or your organization can support the Meals-on-Wheels program at LifeCare Alliance? Sure, there are the common ways of volunteering or sending in a donation, but could there be more?

Big Lots recently found an answer to that question. The well-known retailer already gives generously to LifeCare Alliance’s Meals-on-Wheels program through its charitable arm, the Big Lots Foundation, and has an active volunteer base with its employees. However, Big Lots recently came up with a new way to celebrate the clients on its corporate Meals-on-Wheels route: a Fall Fiesta!!

This October, Big Lots plans to serve tacos, margaritas, and cookies from L.A. Catering to their route clients and friends at a local senior living center. The fiesta will be filled with music, games, and possibly salsa lessons!

Why are we excited about this? It is because acts of kindness like the Fall Fiesta truly mean the world to our clients. Many of LifeCare Alliance’s Meals-on-Wheels recipients are homebound, isolated, have a medical condition, and/or live on an annual income of less than $20,000. In addition, older adults and medically challenged individuals are at a high risk of health and nutritional problems due to physical, mobility, medical, and support system limitations.

Fortunately, there are supporters like Big Lots who go above and beyond to show clients of Meals-on-Wheels and other LifeCare Alliance programs that they care. Through these efforts, LifeCare Alliance is able to help older adult clients stay safe, independent, and engage more with life.

Learn More

Find out more about the Big Lots Foundation here: https://www.biglots.com/corporate/community.

Want to know more about how you can support LifeCare Alliance’s Meals-on-Wheels programs? Click here or call 614-278-3130.

Need to book catering for your wedding or next corporate or social event? Click here or call 614-358-LALA.

“According to the 2015 Meals on Wheels America survey 'More Than A Meal,' 87% of seniors needing home-delivered meals are physically unable to shop for their groceries. It is often the case that, besides a caregiver, the Meals-on-Wheels deliverer is the only person that a client might interact with every day of the week.”

LifeCare Alliance nominee AEP wins Medical Mutual Pillar Award

By Featured News, Meals-on-Wheels, Press Releases, Volunteers

LifeCare Alliance is pleased to announce that our longtime partner American Electric Power has been chosen for The Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service.

AEP has been one of LifeCare Alliance’s foremost supporters for more than a decade. LifeCare Alliance proudly nominated AEP because of the company’s many financial contributions as well as the all-important boots on the ground that help expand our reach to tens of thousands of clients each year.

In 2017, LifeCare Alliance accepted its largest-ever single gift — a $1 million contribution from the American Electric Power Foundation. Charles Gehring, the president and CEO of LifeCare Alliance, called the gift “transformational” for the Agency. He said the money would be used to purchase a new Meals-on-Wheels delivery van each year for four years, as well as to provide support for the health and nutrition programs that keep central Ohio seniors and people with medical challenges safe, independent, and living in their own homes — where they want to be.

Employees of AEP have hosted donation drives to support clients of our Help-at-Home program, the Columbus Cancer Clinic, holiday Adopt-a-Family campaigns, and our Senior PetCare program — which helps seniors care for their beloved pets by providing food, supplies, and veterinary care.

Perhaps most importantly, American Electric Power has been a significant and reliable source of volunteer manpower for LifeCare Alliance. Groups of employees regularly visit our meal distribution center to volunteer in our Groceries-to-Go Pantry for people fighting cancer and HIV/AIDS, to serve meals at our Senior Dining Center, and to pack and sort food items for Meals-on-Wheels and Senior PetCare. Through our Corporate Adopt-a-Route program, nearly 100 AEP employees share the responsibility of delivering daily Meals-on-Wheels routes, donating their lunch hour to visit people in need every day, delivering a meal, a friendly smile, and a basic wellness check for thousands of homebound central Ohioans.

AEP is in its 13th year of participation in the Corporate Adopt-a-Route program and has delivered more than 100,000 meals.

AEP will be honored with The Medical Mutual Pillar Award for Community Service during a ceremony hosted by Smart Business Magazine on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019. For more information about this event, click here or contact Molly Carpenter of Smart Business Magazine at 440-250-7039 or mcarpenter@sbonline.com.

Share the Love with Vulnerable Seniors This Year

By Featured News, Meals-on-Wheels

Exciting news!

For the eleventh year running, the Meals on Wheels network — including LifeCare Alliance — is participating in the Subaru Share the Love® Event. Over the past ten years, Subaru and its retailers have helped Meals on Wheels deliver nearly 2 million meals nationwide to seniors in need.

Why does Subaru support Meals on Wheels? Too many seniors are struggling to stay independent and healthy. One in four seniors lives alone in isolation and one in seven seniors might not know from where their next meal is coming. This is simply unacceptable, which is why LifeCare Alliance provides the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks to our homebound friends and neighbors in central Ohio. This vital support keeps seniors in their own homes, where they want to be.

We’re incredibly grateful to Subaru and its retailers for supporting our organization and the seniors we serve. With that in mind, we thought you might want to learn a little bit more about the Subaru Share the Love® Event.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

This November 15, 2018, through January 2, 2019, for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased, Subaru will donate $250 to the customer’s choice of participating charities.* Meals on Wheels is one of four national participating charities and has been since the inception of the event. Through this event, as a member of Meals on Wheels America, LifeCare Alliance will receive a share of the donation from Subaru vehicles sold in Ohio.

You might not be in the market to purchase a new car, but if you are, please look into the Subaru Share the Love® Event to learn more. If you’re not shopping for a new vehicle, you can still help by spreading the word to your family and friends. A few quick and easy ways to do that:

And remember: this holiday season you can ensure our senior neighbors are not forgotten, when you buy or lease a new Subaru and select Meals on Wheels as your charity of choice.

*Disclaimer: Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 15, 2018, through January 2, 2019, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. Certain participating retailers may make an additional donation to the Hometown Charities selected. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 31, 2019. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc.

LifeCare Alliance honors outstanding Franklin County volunteers

By Help-at-Home, Meals-on-Wheels, Volunteers, Wellness

LifeCare Alliance handed out more than 20 awards on Monday, April 1, 2018, at the annual Volunteer Recognition ceremony for outstanding Franklin County volunteers.

The Spirit Award presentation is a time to celebrate and recognize the dedication, commitment, and achievements of volunteers who give their time to our older adult citizens so they can remain independent in their homes.

This event, which honored the contributions of volunteers the previous year,  was live-streamed on Facebook Live. To watch the ceremony, click here to access the video on LifeCare Alliance’s Facebook page.

The 2017 Spirit Award recipients are:

  • American Electric Power, Corporate Leadership Spirit Award
  • Dr. Akua Amponsah, Help-at-Home Spirit Award
  • Natalie Artz, Youth Leadership Spirit Award
  • Jack DeBarr & Joseph Seifert, The Harriette Goodspeed Spirit Award
  • Kellie DuPont & Family, Future LifeCare Alliance Leader Spirit Award
  • Quentin Feng, Corporate Meals-on-Wheels Route Coordinator Spirit Award
  • Michelle Ford, Groceries to Go Spirit Award
  • Penny Henry, Catherine Gillie Spirit Award
  • Joan Hess, Farmer’s Market Spirit Award
  • Kelly Hollis, Outstanding Spirit Award
  • Huntington National Bank, Corporate Meals-on-Wheels Route Spirit Award
  • Ali Iovino, Food Production Spirit Award
  • Jackie Jacobs, Lifetime Achievement Award
  • Cherie Luckoff, Pet Care Spirit Award
  • John McHugh, Advancement Spirit Award
  • Everett Meidell, John Nilssen Memorial Spirit Award
  • Nationwide, Community Service Spirit Award
  • Nationwide PAWS, Pet Care Corporate Spirit Award
  • Ohio Dominican University, Meals-on-Wheels School Spirit Award
  • Thomas & Angela Stephens, The Samuel L. Black Volunteer Spirit Award
  • Temple Beth Shalom, The Frank Stoddard Raper Spirit Award
  • Wednesday Hump Leagues, POHC Philanthropic Spirit Award

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities for LifeCare Alliance, please call 614-444-MEAL (6325) or visit www.lifecarealliance.org to learn more.

Photo gallery

To see a gallery of images from the LifeCare Alliance Volunteer Recognition ceremony, click here.

Volunteers recognized for awards

Volunteers recognized in Champaign, Logan, Marion counties

By Meals-on-Wheels, Volunteers

LifeCare Alliance recognized the 2017 Spirit Award Volunteers in Champaign, Logan, and Marion counties in April.

Each year, LifeCare Alliance conducts a series of Spirit Award ceremonies to recognize outstanding volunteers for their service and dedication to homebound older adults and medically challenged and disabled neighbors in our communities.

The Spirit Award presentation is a time to celebrate and recognize the dedication, commitment, and achievements of volunteers who give their time to our older adult citizens so they can remain independent in their homes.  The 2017 Spirit Award recipients are:

Champaign County

  • St. Paris Dining Center, 2017 Champaign County Community Partner Spirit Award
  • Barbara Kunze, 2017 Champaign County Meals-on-Wheels Spirit Award
  • Person Centered Services, 2017 Champaign County Corporate Meals-on-Wheels Spirit Award
  • Cherry Arbors, 2017 Champaign County Dining Center Spirit Award
  • Char’s Market and Kitchen, 2017 Champaign County Meals-on-Wheels Leader Spirit Award
  • The Champaign County Memorial Foundation, 2017 Champaign County Champion Spirit Award

Logan County

  • Lisa Davidson, 2017 Logan County Corporate Meals-On-Wheels Route Coordinator Award
  • West Liberty First Church of God, 2017 Logan County Dining Center Spirit Award
  • Indian Lake High School, 2017 Logan County MOW School Spirit Award
  • RTC Industries, 2017 Logan County Meals-on-Wheels Corporate Spirit Award
  • Deborah Emerick, 2017 Logan County Community Service Spirit Award
  • Wayne Wells, 2017 Logan County Meals-on-Wheels Spirit Award

Marion County

  • Dave Claborn, 2017 Marion County Champion Spirit Award
  • Marion Technical College, 2017 Corporate Meals-on-Wheels Spirit Award
  • Sherry Mentor and Inez Tackett, 2017 Marion County Dining Center Award
  • Gary Robinson, 2017 Marion County Meals-on-Wheels Spirit Award

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities for LifeCare Alliance, please call 614-444-MEAL (6325) or visit www.lifecarealliance.org to learn more.

Whitehall Mayor Kim Maggard

Elected Officials Help Promote Meals-on-Wheels

By Meals-on-Wheels, Volunteers

LifeCare Alliance welcomed about 20 local elected officials to participate in Meals-on-Wheels Community Champions Week.

Officials from Franklin, Marion, Logan, Madison and Champaign counties delivered Meals-on-Wheels, visiting members of their communities who are homebound and are unable to prepare their own meals.

We’d like to thank the following officials who participated with this effort.

  • Grove City Mayor Ike Stage
  • Dublin Mayor Greg Peterson
  • State of Ohio Auditor Dave Yost
  • Hilliard Mayor Don Schonhardt
  • State Sen. Stephanie Kunze
  • Joe Gilligan from U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office
  • Marion Mayor Scott Schertzer
  • Erik McCarley and Trenton Weaver from U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty’s office
  • Columbus City Councilmember Jaiza Page
  • Whitehall Mayor Kim Maggard
  • Marion Police Chief Bill Collins and Chief Deputy Aaron Corwin
  • Urbancrest Mayor Joseph L. Barnes
  • State Rep. Hearcel Craig
  • Champaign County Transit Manager Gary Ledford
  • Champaign County Treasurer Robin Edwards
  • London Police Chief Glenn A Nicol
  • London Mayor Patrick Closser
  • State Sen. Bob Hackett
  • Madison County Commissioner David Hunter
  • Columbus City Councilmember Michael Stinziano

Community Champions Week is part of nationwide effort to give businesses, organizations, governments, and volunteers an opportunity to support homebound seniors in a variety of ways to make America stronger and healthier.

Meals-on-Wheels is especially important to the Columbus community because it allows older adults and chronically ill persons the chance to stay in the comfort of their own homes by delivering meals to them 365 days a year.  This allows our clients and their loved ones to have the peace of mind that someone is checking in on them daily while providing food and socialization.

Many of our clients were excited to have the unique experience of having one of these elected officials visit with them and deliver their meals during the March for Meals Community Champions week!

ABOVE: Whitehall Mayor Kim Maggard, right, visits LifeCare Alliance client Retha Sutherland while delivering a meal Friday, March 23, 2018, in Whitehall, Ohio. Maggard was among the more than 20 central Ohio elected officials participating in Meals-on-Wheels Community Champions Week. (Photo by Sky Sharma/LifeCare Alliance)
2017 Volunteer Recognition Awards

LifeCare Alliance Announces 2018 Volunteer Recognition events

By Carrie's Cafe, Central Ohio Diabetes Association, Columbus Cancer Clinic, Events, Help-at-Home, Meals-on-Wheels, Volunteers

Each year, we take the time to thank our outstanding volunteers who embody our motto of “Nourishing the Human Spirit.”

Our volunteer base is the heart of LifeCare Alliance, and the work that volunteers do is so valuable to our Agency and our clients alike. More than 100 volunteers are needed every single day to deliver Meals-on-Wheels, run errands, assist with light housekeeping tasks, assist at a Senior Dining or Wellness Center, serve on a board, make favors for our clients, or help in the office.

Volunteers come together as individuals, corporations, families, and groups with the energy and enthusiasm needed to carry out the mission of LifeCare Alliance. Because of the volunteer base, LifeCare Alliance is able to continue serving clients without a waiting list, keeping homebound older adults and individuals with a medical challenge or disability safe, independent, and in their own homes — where they want to be!

Below is information on the locations, dates and times of recognition events throughout our service area. Please join us!

 

LifeCare Alliance Recognition
Monday, April 30, 2018 — 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
L.A. Catering Event Center, 670 Harmon Ave. Columbus, OH 43223

Columbus Cancer Clinic
Monday, April 16, 2018 — 11:00 – 1:00 p.m.
L.A. Catering Event Center, 670 Harmon Ave. Columbus, OH 43223

Logan County Recognition
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 — 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Hilliker YMCA, 300 Sloan Blvd. Bellefontaine, OH 43311

Champaign County Recognition
Wednesday, April 11, 2018 — 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Champaign County Library, 1060 Scioto Street Urbana, OH 43078

Marion County Recognition
Thursday, April 19, 2018 — 12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Marion Senior Center, 2375 Harding Hwy E, Marion, OH 43302

Dining Center Recognition
Monday, April 30, 2018 — 11:00 – 1:00 p.m.
L.A. Catering Event Center, 670 Harmon Ave. Columbus, OH 43223

Madison County Recognition
Wednesday, May 9, 2018 — 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Madison County Senior Center, 280 W High St, London, OH 43140

ABOVE: LifeCare Alliance CEO Chuck Gehring, left, presents the 2017 Catherine Nelson Black Philanthropic Spirit Award to Tom Long, JD, a long-time supporter of the Columbus Cancer Clinic.
LifeCare Alliance CEO Chuck Gehring speaks to the crowd during Big Wheels 2018

LifeCare Alliance Announces $5 Million Match Campaign

By Carrie's Cafe, Central Ohio Diabetes Association, Columbus Cancer Clinic, Help-at-Home, IMPACT Safety, Legacy, Meals-on-Wheels, POHC, Visiting Nurses, Wellness

At Big Wheels 2018, LifeCare Alliance announced a $5 Million Match Campaign to secure the future, by building its Legacy Endowment.

The Legacy Endowment Campaign is designed to meet existing and future needs of LifeCare Alliance for decades to come.

An anonymous donor has generously committed to matching the first $5 million in Endowment gifts, beginning in 2018. The donation comes during a momentous occasion for LifeCare Alliance as the Agency celebrates its 120th anniversary.

This Campaign creates an opportunity for individuals and families impacted by the work of LifeCare Alliance to express their stewardship and leave their legacies in concrete and meaningful ways.

If you are interested in learning more about the Legacy Endowment Campaign or how you can become a member of the Catherine Nelson Black Society, please contact Chuck Gehring, President and CEO at 614-437-2801 or Rebecca Hurd, Director of Advancement at 614-437-2867.

Click here to donate to the Legacy Endowment Campaign now!


ABOVE: LifeCare Alliance CEO Chuck Gehring speaks to the crowd at Big Wheels 2018.