Vulnerable seniors benefit when caring volunteers step in to help

More than Meals for Isolated Seniors: Donate Today and Your Gift will be Matched!

Greater Victoria has one of the country’s highest proportions of seniors over the age of 65. Many local seniors experience extreme loneliness, malnutrition, mobility issues, and limited income. The last few years have amplified these challenges: social interactions with friends and family, grocery shopping, inperson doctor’s appointments, and outdoor activities have become limited. The result is increased isolation, depression and anxiety, as well as food insecurity.

Together with donors like you and with support from local businesses, United Way Southern Vancouver Island (UWSVI) has been able to help isolated seniors through the More than Meals program. Since its launch in May 2020, More Than Meals has grown from delivering 200 meals a week to 50,000 meals a year for seniors in the region. It provides not only nutritious meals to people in their own homes but also social connection. But the needs of seniors in the community remain high.

“My husband of 60 years passed away. I am on my own, and I know I am going to get a decent meal and don’t have to hit the peanut butter jar again,” says Anne, one of the seniors involved In the More Than Meals program.

The success of the program depends on donations but also on the volunteers delivering the meals and critical social visits to vulnerable seniors.

Lorena Milkert, Director of Retail Banking with Island Savings, is a supporter and a volunteer for the program. Every Wednesday, on her lunch break, she delivers meals to seniors.

“I enjoy it and can’t imagine not doing it now. I know those seniors would miss the meal and probably not be healthy. My volunteer involvement is rewarding beyond belief. You know you are giving back and helping someone who needs it, says Lorena, who encourages others to support the program financially.

“I always think. What if my mom were alone? What if I were alone? Anyone can be in that situation.

Some of the seniors that the More Than Meals program supports wait for you when is meal delivery time. They rush out to say hi and have a conversation with you, and that’s probably the only human contact they have all week,” Lorena adds.

DONATE TO UNITED WAY AND HAVE YOUR GIFT MATCHED

More than Meals is just one example of a community-based program funded by United Way Southern Vancouver

Island that provides support for seniors, helping them maintain independence and connection. Make a gift today and support our seniors at https://uwsvi.ca/ isolated-seniors/donate/ Thanks to a corporate gift from Island Savings, your donation to

More Than Meals program will be matched dollar for dollar. YOUR GIFT WILL:

• $100/month or $1,200: Provide an isolated senior with 2 nutritious meals a week, reassurance calls, and friendly visits for one full year.

• $50/month or $600: provide an isolated senior with 2 meals a week, phone calls, and friendly visits for 6 months.

• $20/month or $250: provide an isolated senior with 2 meals a week, phone calls, and friendly visits for 3 months.