On Thursday, September 14th, Senior Services of Alexandria’s MaryAnne Beatty and Ellyn Kirtley joined Meals on Wheels America staff and longtime volunteer Ruth Goltzer on Capitol Hill to advocate for continued funding for Meals on Wheels programs across the nation. Goltzer, who volunteered with Arlington’s Meals on Wheels program, created a petition following the release of President Trump’s proposed budget earlier this year. Over the course of several months, over 112,000 Americans signed this petition, which calls on Congress to ensure there are no cuts to federal funding for Meals on Wheels programs in Fiscal Year 2018.
SSA and Meals on Wheels representatives met with congressional staffers to deliver copies of the petition, as well as paper plates created by constituents as part of Meals on Wheels America’s ongoing #savelunch campaign. Among others, Beatty and Kirtley met with Ann O’Hanlon, the Chief of Staff for Alexandria’s own representative- Rep. Don Beyer. Congressman Beyer is a staunch supporter of both Meals on Wheels and Senior Services of Alexandria.
For more information about Thursday’s events, ongoing advocacy, and how to get involved, read Meals on Wheels America’s press release.