LOA News
& Notes
October 2024
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Helping Older Persons Remain Independent for as Long as Possible. | |
Federal Cuts to Meals on Wheels Affect Local Seniors
“Meals on Wheels has faced challenges since the pandemic, and after recent nationwide funding cuts, the situation is worse. The Local Office on Aging is now forced to reduce the number of meals they deliver, despite the rising demand from aging seniors,” said Ron Boyd, CEO of LOA.
Local media has covered the news of how federal cuts to the Meals on Wheels program are affecting service for Southwest Virginia seniors:
These cuts, combined with the rising cost of food and the increasing number of older adults in our community, have impacted LOA's ability to serve as many seniors as possible. No clients had to be removed from receiving Meals on Wheels: LOA has reduced the program's client list through attrition, as the number of qualifying clients varies with their changing medical needs.
Due to the reduction in funding, LOA has had to reduce the number of seniors currently receiving Meals on Wheels from 575 to 500. As of September 2024, we have 35 qualifying seniors on the waiting list to receive Meals on Wheels.
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Do you want to help Meals on Wheels in our area?
There are many ways our community can help to support LOA's Meals on Wheels program:
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#EndTheWait
Meals on Wheels serves over 2 million seniors every year, but many more are still waiting for help. Meals on Wheels America has a plan to better serve more seniors. Learn about how you can help End the Wait and ensure that every senior who needs Meals on Wheels gets it:
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Help Us Fill the Plate of Services
With more than 30 community-based services, the Local Office on Aging continues to strive to fulfill its mission of helping older persons remain independent for as long as possible.
But we can’t do it alone. Make your gift to LOA and help us fill the plate of services, where it is needed most.
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Medicare Open Enrollment Starts October 15
It's that time again seniors: Medicare Open Enrollment begins on October 15 and runs through December 7. Health Insurance Counseling from LOA can help eliminate frustration and help save your hard-earned money. It's free and confidential for persons aged 60 and over.
To make an appointment with one of LOA's Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) specialists, call LOA starting October 1 at (540) 345-0451.
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Volunteer training coming up: LOA is holding a coach training class for volunteers to lead "A Matter of Balance" falls prevention classes!
Coaches receive training to help participants become more confident about managing falls and lead exercises to help increase strength and balance. Classes are held once a week for 8 weeks, for 2-hour sessions. If you are interested in being trained to be a coach for A Matter of Balance, please plan to attend
Training for new coaches will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 8am-4pm, here at LOA's main office! Please contact Delaine Caldwell for information and if you would like to attend the training, by clicking the button below or call (540) 345-0451 extension 3041.
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Farm Market Fresh: Use your vouchers by Nov 17 |
Seniors, if you are a member of the Farm Market Fresh program, remember to 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 Farm Market Fresh vouchers:
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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
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Roanoke – 4 farmers at West End Farmers Market: Tuesdays, 3pm-6pm, 1027 Patterson Ave SW, Roanoke, VA
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Salem – 7 farmers at Salem Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8am-12pm; 3 E Main St, Salem, VA
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Botetourt – 2 farmers at Botetourt Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8:30am-12pm, 90 Town Center St, Daleville, VA
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Covington – 1 farmer at Covington Farmers Market: Saturdays, 9am-12pm, 134 W Main St, Covington, VA
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LOA's Senior Legal Safety Conference a success
Thank you to everyone who joined LOA on Friday, September 20, at Harvest Ministries for our annual Senior Legal Safety Conference. Attendees enjoyed presentations by:
- Atlantic Union Bank
- Botetourt County Sheriff’s Office
- Lotz Funeral Home
- Senior Navigator
- And LOA's own Robbie Boyd and Delaine Caldwell about legal issues facing older adults.
We were pleased to have vendors present to share information and answer questions as well: AARP Virginia, Cardinal Senior Living of Roanoke, Virginia, Dorsett Wellness, Heartland Hospice, Mountain City Realty & Auction, LLC, RADAR, Raleigh Court Health & Rehabilitation, South Roanoke Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Virginia Navigator, and Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol.
Thanks to our generous sponsor, the Roanoke Law Foundation, for making this event possible!
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Thank you to the Roanoke Greek Festival | |
LOA is deeply grateful to the generous members of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Roanoke, who selected LOA as one of the charitable beneficiaries of this year's Roanoke Greek Festival!
The festival was held September 20-22, and featured delicious Greek food and pastries, traditional Greek music and dance, and arts and crafts. The Roanoke community is a wonderful supporter of this beloved annual festival, and all of us at LOA are truly thankful to receive the support of the festival and church.
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We are in need of donations of Boost/Ensure type nutritional drinks and shelf-stable food for our clients. LOA’s Emergency Food Pantry provides an emergency bag of food filled with shelf-stable meal equivalents for our clients who have an urgent need. Your donations go directly to seniors in need in our community.
Since many of our seniors live alone, we especially need individual single serving size food items. Please check expiration dates before donating items. Items can be dropped off Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at LOA’s main office: 4932 Frontage Road NW, Roanoke, VA 24019. Please call when you arrive, and we’ll be happy to help you unload your donations: (540) 345-0451 Thank you!
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Gifts and Grants Update
LOA is deeply grateful to the following individuals and organizations for their recent generous gifts and grants:
Janice Fostek
Cardinal Senior Living of Danville
Cardinal Senior Living of Roanoke
P1 Technologies, Inc.
James and Lula Belle Wood
Carl E. and Helen M. McCurdy
Salem Lions Club
TMEIC Corporation Americas
JMAX Property Management
Joyce Johnson
Barbara Perdue
R. Curtis Steele Jr.
Thank you to everyone who has made a gift or donated items to LOA recently - you are helping older adults right here in our community!
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Many thanks to the generous members of AARP Virginia who recently donated a large container of shelf-stable food for our emergency food pantry! AARP held a "Movies for Grownups" event and collected food for LOA as part of their Hunger Action Month. | |
Please note that LOA's offices will be closed on Monday, October 14, 2024.
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Local Office on Aging, Inc.
4932 Frontage Road
PO Box 14205
Roanoke, VA 24038
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Roanoke ................... 540-345-0451
Alleghany Highlands 540-962-0465
Botetourt Co. ........... 540-580-5085
Craig County ............ 540-864-6031
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