Love Letters for Seniors

Louisville Metro Meals on Wheels recipients are set to receive handmade Valentine’s Day cards created by youth volunteers from across the country. DoSomething.org, the largest organization for young people and social change, has teamed up with Meals on Wheels America for the third annual Love Letters campaign.

The popular campaign, encouraging young people to create handmade Valentine’s Day cards to lift the spirits of older adults this holiday season, runs through February 15, 2016 and cards will be included in meal deliveries to Meals on Wheels clients across the country. Young people who sign up at DoSomething.org/loveletters and report back with a photo will be eligible to win a $5,000 scholarship.

“Last year was a tremendous success.  More than 2,500 Valentine cards were received from youth in schools, scout troops and other community partners,” said Eric Friedlander, Acting Director of the Louisville Metro Department of Community Services, the organization which administers the Meals on Wheels program locally.  “I hope we continue to expand the compassionate, committed community response again this year and in future years.  These handmade cards will bring joy to the lives of hundreds of seniors in our community.”

"Love Letters is one of DoSomething.org's most popular campaigns because young people get to use their creativity to help brighten older adults' day during a peak time of isolation and depression," said Naomi Hirabayashi, Chief Marketing Officer at DoSomething.org.

Since 2014, nearly one million cards were distributed through Meals on Wheels America’s network, which serves nearly 2.5 million homebound seniors each year. The support of the volunteers and meals this network provides is critical to helping them maintain enough independence to stay in their own homes.

To donate cards to the local Meals on Wheels program, feel free to drop off any weekday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 810 Barret Ave., Suite 260.  Be sure to register your support at DoSomething.org/loveletters.  Feel free to contact Trina Mitchell, Volunteer Coordinator for the Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program at 574-6420 or Trina.Mitchell@louisvilleky.gov with any questions.

About Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program

The Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition Program, part of the Department of Community Services, works year-round to help seniors stay healthy by providing hot, nutritious meals. Through the Meals on Wheels program, hundreds of volunteers helped deliver over 100,000 hot noontime meals last year to qualified individuals. Over 90,000 meals were served last year to active seniors at more than 20 congregate meal sites across the community which offer seniors an opportunity for a nutritious lunch, socialization and activities.  Louisville Metro Senior Nutrition’s programs are funded, in part, under a contract with KIPDA and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Cabinet for Health and Family Services with funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  To learn more about eligibility or how to volunteer, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/community-services/senior-nutrition-program or call 502/574-6325.

About DoSomething.org

DoSomething.org makes the world suck less. One of the largest global orgs for young people and social change, our 4.8 million members tackle campaigns that impact every cause, from poverty to violence to the environment to literally everything else. Any cause, anytime, anywhere.  

About Meals on Wheels America

Meals on Wheels America is the oldest and largest national organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based senior nutrition programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. This network exists in virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, research, education and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.