MARCH FOR MEALS ST. PATRICK’S 5K RUN & WALK

The Osceola Council on Aging “Meals on Wheels” program will host the national 2024 March for Meal’s campaign by kicking off “The March for Meals St. Patrick’s 5K Walk & Run sponsored by KUA.” The event will take place on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at the Kissimmee Lakefront Park and will include a 5K (3.1 mile) run and walk for individuals and/or corporate and family teams, largest and most spirited team competition, a free Kid’s Run, silent auction, and those who finish will receive a metal. Plus, if you bring non-perishable food items to help us build the food pantry, you will be entered in a special prize drawing!

You can see the most-up-to-date information on the March for Meals 5K on our website www.osceolagenerations.com. The event will start at 6:45 a.m. (registration) and the run and walk begin at 8:00 a.m. The cost is $30 (before March 1^ST) and $35 (March 2^ND – 16^th) and $40 (day of event). To register online through RunSignUp.com –  https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/Kissimmee/MarchforMealsStPatricks5kRunWalkpresentedbyKUA.

Team Challenge: “Team Challenge” allows folks to sign-up a team with five plus participants and compete for team awards in the following categories: MOST TEAM SPIRIT and LARGEST TEAM! Be creative, use your imagination and “Let’s Be Fit for FOOD.” We look forward to bringing together businesses and organizations from all over Central Florida for a day of fun – “Team Challenge” excitement! Special discount offered with five or more entries ($5 off).

“Our community needs to come together, so our seniors and families can have nutritious meals and a healthy diet to live a better life and our Meals on Wheels Osceola program is so imperative to have in our Community,” said Tim Timmermann, Senior VP of Marketing & Development for the Osceola Council on Aging. “Meals on Wheels is much more than a meal a day; it also it gives us an opportunity to check in on our seniors, now more than ever. We need individuals, corporate and family teams to come out and walk and run to help individuals who are counting on us to provide them with a hot and/or cold meal. We need to fight hunger today! We need our community’s help!”

March for Meals is a national campaign held during the month of March, initiated, and sponsored by the Meals on Wheels Association of America to raise awareness of senior hunger and to encourage action on the part of local communities. Hundreds of Senior Nutrition Programs across the United States, like Meals on Wheels, promote Osceola Council on Aging March for Meals through public events, partnerships with local businesses, volunteer recruitment and fundraising initiatives.

““This year’s March for Meals celebration comes at a time when eight out of ten local Meals on Wheels programs are still delivering meals to more older adults than they were prior to the pandemic, and operational and food costs are still soaring even while inflation slows,” said Ellie Hollander, President, and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “Now is a critical time for the community to support your local Meals on Wheels and urge Congress to protect, strengthen and invest in these proven and effective programs by increasing federal funding so that it is available to every older adult in need for decades to come.”