Fayette Senior Services announced today that it will be hosting Mayors For Meals Day as a part of the March for Meals national campaign initiated by Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), which seeks to raise awareness of senior hunger and to encourage action on the part of the local community. Fayette County Mayors Harold Logsdon (Peachtree City), Ken Steele (Fayetteville) and Don Rehwaldt (Tyrone) will be participating in the event to show their support for the community’s homebound seniors. Fayette Senior Services delivers more than 40,000 meals annually to help seniors improve their quality of life and remain independent. The meals are delivered by a team of volunteer drivers who are often the only social contact a homebound senior receives each week.

The mayors will attend a brief training session beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18 at Fayette Senior Services located at 4 Center Drive in Fayetteville. Afterward, each mayor will accompany one of Fayette Senior Services’ regular volunteer drivers to deliver meals to homebound seniors in their respective communities.

Debbie Britt, Executive Director for Fayette Senior Services emphasized, “We are excited about having Mayors Logsdon, Steele and Rehwaldt participate in our event. Mayor Laggis (Woolsey) and Mayor Butler (Brooks) had previous commitments, but we look forward to having them with us next year. Britt adds, “The Fayette County mayors, along with the Board of Commissioners, have been long-time advocates of the Meals On Wheels program to ensure that no senior goes hungry in Fayette County. The national Mayors For Meals Day is an excellent way for our elected officials to meet the citizens who benefit from their support.”

In a show of solidarity, members of the Fayette County Board of Commissioners and Wal-Mart Community Involvement Coordinators, Theresa Thaxton (Fayetteville) and Fredia Jones (Peachtree City), will also be participating in the event. The Meals On Wheels Association (MOWAA) and Wal-Mart Foundation recently awarded a $9,845 grant to Fayette Senior Services’ Meals On Wheels program to alleviate some of the financial challenges as a result of state budget cuts and the current economic crisis. Britt states, “We want to recognize Wal-Mart for their community partnership and provide an opportunity through Mayors For Meals to observe the meaningful difference that Wal-Mart’s support has made in the lives of Fayette County seniors.”

Fayette Senior Services provides meals to nearly 175 homebound seniors throughout Fayette County. The average client receives 260 meals per year. The annual cost per client is approximately $1,380, not including the cost for holiday meals or doctor-ordered nutrition supplements.

Also in conjunction with the March For Meals campaign, Fayette Senior Services is hosting the first annual March For Meals Charity Run/Walk on Saturday, March 21 at 8 a.m. at Fayetteville First Baptist Church. Applications are available at www.fayss.org. Citizens can also support Meals On Wheels (MOW) by sending charitable donations to Fayette Senior Services, 4 Center Drive, Fayetteville, GA 30214. For information about becoming a MOW volunteer driver call 770-461-0813 ext.105.

Founded in 1978, Fayette Senior Services (www.fayss.org) is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that offers older adults the opportunity to be involved in a variety of social, leisure, recreation, and educational activities at its Life Enrichment Center. The agency also helps seniors improve their quality of life and remain independent through programs such as Meals on Wheels, Adult Day Referral Service, Information & Assistance, Transportation, In-Home/Personal Services, and Case Management.

The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest national organization in the United States representing those programs that provide meals to people in need. To obtain more information about MOWAA or to locate a local Meals On Wheels program, visit the MOWAA website at www.mowaa.org.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Wal-Mart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Wal-Mart Foundation supports initiatives focused on enhancing opportunities in education, job skills training, sustainability and health and wellness. In 2007, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club and the Wal-Mart Foundation gave $296 million to communities across the United States. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

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