LOA News

& Notes

August 2024

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Helping Older Persons Remain Independent for as Long as Possible.

Let's Give Lunch Raffle Winners Announced

We are happy to announce the winners of this year's Let's Give Lunch raffle! A heartfelt thank you to each local business that generously donated to our cause and to everyone who purchased raffle tickets. You are supporting Meals on Wheels and more nutrition services for seniors in our community!

Raffle Winners

A Matter of Balance - Falls Prevention Class

Classes meet once a week for 8 weeks, for 2 hours each class

Wednesdays, August 14 – October 2, 2024

9:00 am - 11:00 am

At LOA’s Center for Health & Wellness

4902 Frontage Rd NW, Roanoke, VA 24019

To register or for information, please contact Delaine Caldwell at LOA at (540) 345-0451 ext. 3041 or by clicking the button below.

Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities. This program emphasizes practical strategies to manage falls. Participants will learn how to:

View falls as controllable
Set realistic goals for increasing activity
Reduce their fall risk at home and in their environment
Increase balance and strength with the exercises

Who should attend? Anyone concerned about falls; anyone interested in improving balance, flexibility, and strength; anyone who has fallen in the past; anyone who has restricted activities because of falling concerns.

Help LOA and the Greek Festival on September 16

LOA is thrilled to have been chosen as a charitable beneficiary of this year's Roanoke Greek Festival! LOA needs to provide volunteers the week of the festival, and you can help:

Looking for volunteers to help skewer meat on Monday, September 16, starting at 9:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. This is a sit-down, indoor job, that involves sharp sticks and handling raw meat. Stay for a three-hour shift or as long as you are able; LOA will be there all-day September 16. (Note: the festival itself will be held Friday, September 20-Sunday, September 22, 2024.)

If you're interested in having fun and helping LOA at the same time, contact Rex Saoit by clicking the button below or calling (540) 345-0451 extension 3051.

Volunteer on September 16

Seeking Vendors for Conference

Does your business serve older adults in our community?

Reserve a table for your business or organization at LOA’s upcoming Senior Legal Safety Conference, which will be held Friday, September 20, 2024. For just $25 you can feature your services to our attendees. Sign up by August 20 by clicking the button below. NOTE: Due to restrictions on grant funding LOA receives, we are unable to accommodate health insurance vendors.

Questions? Please contact Chrissy Hannabass at (540) 345-0451.

Vendor Registration

Conference Sponsor: Roanoke Law Foundation

Farm Market Fresh for Seniors

Do you enjoy fresh produce from the local farmer’s market? LOA has a program that will give you access to FREE fruits and vegetables at participating farmers’ markets. Seniors aged 60 and older who are low to moderate income are eligible to apply to Farm Market Fresh. Qualified seniors will receive $50 worth of vouchers to buy fresh produce at participating local farmers’ markets this summer.

Seniors, use your vouchers by November 17 for the current season!

Below are the current farmers markets in our region that have at least one participating farmer that will accept vouchers:

Roanoke – 3 farmers at Grandin Village Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8am-12pm, in the parking lot behind the Roanoke Co+op, 1319 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA
Roanoke – 4 farmers at West End Farmers Marke t: Tuesdays, 3pm-6pm, 1027 Patterson Ave SW, Roanoke, VA
Salem – 7 farmers at Salem Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8am-12pm; and Wednesdays (in July & August only), 2pm-6pm; 3 E Main St, Salem, VA
Botetourt – 2 farmers at Botetourt Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8:30am-12pm, 90 Town Center St, Daleville, VA
Covington – 1 farmer at Covington Farmers Market: Saturdays, 9am-12pm, 134 W Main St, Covington, VA

Volunteer Spotlight: Beth E. Rodgers

Beth E. Rodgers, Meals on Wheels volunteer and a local artist, created a portrait of LOA's Toni Patterson, Supervisor of the Meals on Wheels Northwest site, as part of the “IT’S HERE” portrait exhibition by the Roanoke Arts Commission. Beth was one of forty local artists chosen to depict Roanoke residents who spark positive impact in the community. Toni's compassion, empathy, and creativity shine through her work with Meals on Wheels. Thank you, Beth, for honoring her with this beautiful portrait. Her portrait will be on display until September 6, 2024, at the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building in Roanoke.

Beth says of Toni: "Toni works at making peoples’ lives better. She knows the people she provides for, and she keeps in constant touch with them. She shows compassion every day and works really well with volunteers." You can make peoples' lives better too, by volunteering for Meals on Wheels!

Volunteer with us

Thank you, P1 Technologies

P1 Technologies is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and marked the occasion by supporting Meals on Wheels! The company purchased an astounding 400 (!) boxed lunches from LOA’s Let’s Give Lunch fundraiser for their employees to enjoy a meal together. Each purchase provided a meal for the buyer and two Meals on Wheels for seniors.

This generous act supports LOA's nutrition services for seniors. Thank you, P1 Technologies, for caring for local seniors!

Gifts and Grants update

Recently the LOA was excited to be awarded generous gifts and grants from the following:

Roanoke Law Foundation
Mary E. Finney
Charles and Pat Houghton
Marvin Willis

Thank you to everyone who made a gift or donated items to LOA recently!

> Donate items to the emergency food pantry/toiletries

Thank you to generous donors who have donated Air Conditioning Units to LOA this summer for our Cooling Assistance Program! Thanks to these donations, LOA can provide low-income senior homeowners with an AC during these hot summer months.

Dog Food Donations Needed

LOA works in partnership with the Roanoke Valley SPCA to provide our Meals on Wheels recipients with pet food - the Pets Eat Too (P.E.T) Program. The partnership enables LOA volunteers to provide weekly deliveries of cat and dog food to Meals on Wheels clients that need pet food.

The RVSPCA is low on dog food for the Pets Eat Too Program. Please donate dog food directly to the RVSPCA and specify it is for the Pets Eat Too Program: Drop off during normal business hours at the Roanoke Valley SPCA, 1340 Baldwin Ave NE, Roanoke, VA 24012.

Help our seniors keep their Meals on Wheels food for themselves, and combat loneliness by providing vital nutrition for their companion animals.