Garrett County Community Action Committee (GCCAC) has received a $50,000 gift from the FirstEnergy Foundation to support Garrett County Meals on Wheels, providing critical support for a program that delivers nutritious meals and regular personal contact to homebound older adults throughout the county.
The contribution comes during Hunger Action Month as part of the FirstEnergy Foundation’s largest hunger-relief initiative to date. The Foundation, a charitable arm of Potomac Edison electric company, is investing $5 million in 140 hunger-relief organizations across its service area, including $1.1 million for 43 organizations in West Virginia and Maryland. FirstEnergy estimates the West Virginia and Maryland grants will collectively help provide approximately over 3 million meals.
The investment comes at a time when access to nutritious food remains a community priority. Feeding America estimates that over 15% of Garrett County residents experience food insecurity, so every dollar counts in the fight against hunger.
Annually, more than 45,000 meals are delivered to over 250 homebound individuals, travelling nearly 80,000 miles to do so. Some participants are enrolled temporarily after a medical event, some are permanent, but all have limited means of providing nutrition for themselves and also receive an annual health assessment by a registered nurse.
Home-delivered meals helps to ensure that those who have difficulty leaving their homes have access to nutritious food, but the program provides more than that: participants benefit from regular well-checks and connections to additional services that can help them remain healthy and independent in their own homes.
Driver Charles Baker has developed close relationships with many on his route. “They appreciate the food,” he acknowledges, “but they appreciate someone checking in on them maybe even more.” A recipient recently noted, “It is a joy to see my driver coming every day.”
It is “one of those programs that always requires a bit of a leap of faith when it comes to funding,” explains GCCAC Chief Operations Officer Regina Gearhart. “Our commitment to serve vulnerable older adults often outpaces the federal and state dollars available to fund the program. The generosity of local businesses and community partners help us bridge that gap and continue reaching seniors who depend on us.” The program will also receive a portion of proceeds from the community-supported Empty Bowls fundraiser, held September 20 at Wisp Resort.
The FirstEnergy Foundation initiative recognizes Hunger Action Month, observed each September to increase awareness of food insecurity and encourage community involvement in addressing hunger. Don McGettigan, FirstEnergy Vice President of Operations, put it simply to the Meals on Wheels team when visiting the Oakland offices, “Thank you all for what you’re doing.”
Cutline: Don McGettigan of FirstEnergy Corporation and Regina Gearhart of Community Action shake hands at the Mary Browning Senior Center, one of two sites that coordinates home delivered meals locally. The two are joined by (left to right) driver Charles Baker, kitchen assistant Christy Williams, center manager Angela Sisler, kitchen manager Vickie Tasker, and kitchen associate Stacy Hershman.
