| S Butler <[email-masked]>

Food for Thought 06/2025

Jennifer Hoffman <[email-masked]> | Tue, Jun 10, 2025 at 8:18 AM

Reply-To: Jennifer Hoffman <[email-masked]>

To: "[email-masked]" <[email-masked]>

Our offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19th, for the Juneteenth holiday. Meals for Thursday will be delivered with the Wednesday meals on June 18th. There will be no change in grocery schedules.

Honoring Juneteenth and Pride Month: A Commitment to Equity, Dignity, and Care

Dear Friends,

This June, we recognize both Juneteenth and Pride Month—two important reminders of the enduring fight for freedom, equity, and human dignity. At Meals on Wheels Erie, we carry these values into our mission every day by serving older adults who too often face isolation, food insecurity, and barriers to care.

Juneteenth reminds us that freedom must be fully realized for all people, including the Black seniors in our community whose lives have been shaped by resilience and strength in the face of injustice. Pride Month invites us to uplift our LGBTQ+ elders, many of whom have spent lifetimes advocating for authenticity, equality, and love, often while experiencing discrimination that continues into their later years.

We believe every senior deserves to age with respect, nourished in both body and spirit. Whether it’s a nutritious meal, a bag of groceries, or a weekly phone call from a caring voice, our services are here to affirm that everyone belongs—and that no one is forgotten.

This month, and always, we recommit to serving with compassion, equity, and inclusivity. Thank you for standing with us.

Warm Regards,
Jennifer

Erie Elks Lodge 67 Supports MOWE Veterans in Need Program

Pictured L-R: Tracy VanHoyweghen, Scott Seib, Jennifer Hoffman, Brian Sheridan, Greg Kindle

On Wednesday, June 4, the Erie Elks Lodge #67 presented two generous donations to Meals on Wheels Erie at a special check presentation ceremony held at the Erie Elks Lodge. Executive Director, Jennifer Hoffman, and Board President, Brian Sheridan, attended.

R. Scott Seib, Exalted Ruler of the Erie Elks Lodge, along with Leading Knight Greg Kindle and Treasurer, Tracy VanHoyweghen, presented two gifts - one from funds raised through lodge donations and another from a National Foundation Spotlight Grant secured by the Erie Elks. Together, these contributions will directly support Meals on Wheels Erie’s Veterans in Need Meal Program.

Launched in July 2020, the Veterans in Need Meal Program currently provides no-cost meal delivery to 38 local veterans. Participants receive a freshly prepared, chilled meal every day of the week, delivered by a compassionate Meals on Wheels Erie volunteer.

“This generous gift allows us to expand this vital service,” said Jennifer Hoffman, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels Erie. “Thanks to the Erie Elks, we can now move two additional veterans from our waiting list into active service and build a more sustainable program. Delivering nutritious meals and a friendly visit is our way of saying thank you to some of our local heroes—especially those who are homebound and otherwise without support. We are deeply grateful.”

The mission of the Erie Elks Lodge includes promoting American patriotism and supporting communities through charitable work. As Trustee Jim Law stated, “So long as there are veterans, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks will never forget them.”

This thoughtful generosity allows us to continue fulfilling our mission: enabling people to age at home with dignity by providing a compassionate check in, nutritious meals, and grocery delivery services. From all of us at Meals on Wheels—and especially from the Veterans whose lives you’ve touched—thank you for standing with us.

Mark your calendars - we'll be making the rounds at these Senior Health Fairs all summer.

These events are free and open to the public. More dates to come!

June 11: Edinboro Manor

June 18: Fairview Manor

August 21: Erie Zoo Senior Day

August 25: Representative Bizzarro's Senior Health Fair

REGISTRATION IS OPEN- DON'T MISS OUT ON
EARLYBIRD PRICING FOR FOURSOMES UNTIL 08/22/2025!

Presented By:

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

Volunteers - Check in with Kathleen for your extra discount and registration info!

BIG FOOD DAY
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18TH

Our offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19th, for the Juneteenth holiday. Meals for Thursday will be delivered with Wednesday meals on June 18th.

Wednesday Drivers, get ready for a double day!

VOLUNTEERS, MARK YOUR CALENDARS - IT'S TIME TO PARTY!

Don't forget to RSVP by July 18th - watch your email for the invite

or you can use this link right now:

VOLUNTEER PICNIC RSVP

We'll see you at the beach!

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR CHEERFUL VOLUNTEERS!

You might be amazed at how much good you can do with just 2 hours a week…whether you’re interested in driving a meal delivery route or grocery shopping for individual clients, we’d love to have you!

For more information about volunteering, please call us at 814-452-6930 or email: [email-masked]

VOLUNTEER INFO

We are always grateful for your support.

Your gift helps us continue our work in the following ways:

Nutritious Home Delivered Meal Program - for seniors, veterans, and the disabled

Grocery Shopping and Delivery Program

Blizzard Bags – shelf stable food delivered once, every winter, to every participant in an insulated bag

DONATE

CONTACT US:

Monday - Thursday
8am - 4pm

Friday

8am - Noon

(814) 452-6930

4408 Peach Street
Suite 102

Erie, PA 16509

4408 Peach Street Suite 102

Erie, PA 16509

US

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