LOA News

& Notes

June 2024

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Helping Older Persons Remain Independent for as Long as Possible.

Let's GIVE Lunch: Friday, June 21

Boxed lunch fundraiser for Meals on Wheels and Nutrition Services!

The Local Office on Aging’s annual fundraiser for Meals on Wheels and nutrition services, Let’s GIVE Lunch is a chance for you to buy lunch AND give lunch to hungry seniors in our community.

Boxed lunches are $20

Click the “Order Now” button below to:

Buy lunch tickets
Buy raffle chances for $1 each
Make an additional gift

ORDER NOW

Pickup your boxed lunches at North Roanoke Baptist Church, 6402 Peters Creek Rd, Roanoke, VA 24019, or have it delivered to you for FREE, on Friday, June 21!

NOTE: delivery orders due by June 6!

Are you or your company looking for a one-time volunteer opportunity?

Let's Give Lunch can fit the bill! Click on the link below to see the options available:

Now Open: Outdoor Senior Exercise Area

Located at 4902 Frontage Road, Roanoke, VA 24019, the center is open to the public Monday-Friday, 8:30am-2:30pm.

The Local Office on Aging celebrated the grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for our new Outdoor Senior Exercise Area at the Center for Health & Wellness on May 14, 2024. Tailored to the needs of the older population, LOA’s new Outdoor Senior Exercise Area is an accessible space for all ages and furthers LOA’s passionate initiatives of improving personal health and wellness for our area’s seniors.

The fitness equipment set includes a step trainer, skill trainer, assisted functional trainer, step-around station, and assisted balance walk to help users improve balance, fine motor strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Additionally, the area offers a shaded picnic area where seniors can meet and socialize with others.

The creation of the Outdoor Exercise Area was supported by the $20,000 AARP Challenge Grant awarded to LOA in the summer of 2023. LOA was one of only 310 grantees for 2023, selected out of 3,600+ applications from across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Exciting Prizes for the Let's Give Lunch Raffle!

Support Meals on Wheels and win big: For just $1, you can bid on our raffle fundraiser in support of Meals on Wheels!

Check out these amazing prizes up for grabs:

From gift baskets to experiences, there's something for everyone. Place your bids by July 8th for your chance to win!

FREE HEALTH FAIR FOR SENIORS

Friday, June 7, 10am-2pm

At Elmwood Park in downtown Roanoke

Seniors: pre-register and you will receive a free two-person emergency kit backpack, filled with first aid supplies and non-perishable food (while supplies last). Click on the button below to register! (Registration is not required but is requested.)

FREE ACTIVITIES:

Balance screenings by physical therapists
Blood pressure checks
Chair massages
Cornhole tournament with prizes, sponsored by AARP Virginia
Live music from the ’50s and ’60s by the band 40 Years After
Vaccinations will be available
Farm Market Fresh: sign up for LOA’s program for fresh produce for low- to moderate-income seniors
Food truck by Dale’s Diner with Kenny burgers and more available for purchase
Ice cream treats for FREE from Freedom First’s Scoop Ice Cream Truck
More than 30 healthy aging vendors and services

For more information about the event, contact Robbie Boyd at (540) 345-0451.

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: come to one of our upcoming enrollment events to sign up and receive your vouchers:

Saturday, June 1, 8am-12pm at Salem Farmer’s Market, 3 E Main St, Salem, VA
Friday, June 7, at LOA’s Celebrating Seniors Health Fair, 10am-2pm in Elmwood Park
Saturday, June 8, 8am-12pm at Grandin Village Farmers Market, 1320 Grandin Rd SW, Roanoke, VA
Tuesday, June 11, 3-6pm at West End Farmer’s Market, 1027 Patterson Ave SW, Roanoke, VA
Tuesday, June 25, 3-6pm at West End Farmer’s Market, 1027 Patterson Ave SW, Roanoke, VA
Thursday, June 27, 2-4pm, at LOA’s Center for Health and Wellness, 4902 Frontage Rd NW, Roanoke, VA

Qualified applicants will receive their vouchers right then and there, and a list of participating farmers’ markets. If you are unable to attend, you can also apply online by clicking the button below. Call LOA at (540) 345-0451 if you have any questions.

Seniors can apply online by clicking the button below:

Apply to Farm Market Fresh

Thank you for Giving Local, Alleghany Highlands!

Thank you to our friends in the Alleghany Highlands who joined us for Give Local Alleghany Highlands again this year, on May 21! The Alleghany Foundation hosted this online day of giving to support nonprofits in the Alleghany Highlands. We're grateful to the donors who gave to LOA to support our services in Alleghany.

Volunteer Spotlight: Julie B. Hughes

“I may be delivering food to them, but everyone involved is being nourished.” LOA is proud to share these words directly from one of our terrific Meals on Wheels volunteer, Julie B. Hughes of Vinton (pictured at left):

“I was driving home thinking about what to make for dinner when I heard an ad on the radio for our Local Office of Aging and their need for volunteers. One of the areas they had a specific need for was route drivers for Meals on Wheels. Maybe it was because I was driving in my car thinking about food, but something in that ad struck a chord with me. Food is such an essential element of our lives. It nourishes us not only physically, but for many of us, it also nourishes us mentally and socially.”

“I reached out the next day and was connected to our local Meals on Wheels coordinator, Marye Brooks [pictured at right]. Now, twice a month, I load the back of my car with pre-prepared meals, and drive a route delivering good, nutritious food to local seniors. It’s a simple task that only takes 2-3 hours, but I love seeing these folks, talking with them for a few minutes, and just checking in on them.”

“I encourage anyone who is looking for a volunteer activity and has reliable transportation to consider delivering Meals on Wheels.”

Join Julie and volunteer with us:

Volunteer

Gifts and Grants update

Recently the LOA was excited to be awarded a generous gift from the following:

Vinton Baptist Church

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 the talented and generous members of the Star Quilters Guild, who recently donated 25 beautiful quilts for our Meals on Wheels recipients!