Rep. Susie Lee Joins Meals on Wheels to Deliver Meals to Southern Nevada Seniors
Las Vegas, NV - Today, Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) delivered nutritious meals to a southern Nevada senior with Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada Meals on Wheels program. Their Meals on Wheels program is the largest home delivered meal service program in Nevada, providing daily meals to over 2,125 Nevadans every week. This program highlights the need for Congress to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) in the coming months. The OAA funds critical programs for America's senior citizens, including the Meals on Wheels program for Nevada. The landmark bill is due to be reauthorized by Congress in the coming months, and has long-standing bipartisan support. Rep. Lee sits on the Civil Rights and Human Services subcommittee as part of House Education and Labor Committee, which has committee jurisdiction over the Older Americans Act.
Before delivering meals, Rep. Lee toured Catholic Charities' facility, met workers and volunteers, and received a detailed walk-through of their operations serving thousands of Nevadans.
Rep. Lee delivered a week's worth of meals to Vincent, an NV-03 senior citizen, who has lived in Nevada's third district since the mid-2000's. Vincent is blind and lives alone after his wife passed away in the mid-2000's. He told Rep. Lee that he relies on social security, and Meals on Wheels helps make his cost-of-living more affordable. Vincent kept the Congresswoman more than entertained with his non-stop jokes and stories.
"Meals on Wheels is an invaluable service for thousands of southern Nevada seniors, and helps those who are homebound and on a budget get nutritious meals without risking their safety or breaking their bank account," said Rep. Susie Lee. "Meeting Vincent was an absolute joy, and it was clear that Meals on Wheels helps him not just get by, but enjoy his life. My firsthand look at the Meals on Wheels program made it more clear than ever that Congress needs to reauthorize and increase investment for programs under the Older Americans Act, and ensure that Meals on Wheels and Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada has the resources they need to serve thousands of Nevadans like Vincent."
"Since 1975, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada has been providing isolated seniors nutritious meals and wellness checks," said Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada President and CEO, Deacon Tom. "This lifeline has lowered the financial impact to tax payers and provided critical help for thousands of seniors in need in Las Vegas and North Las Vegas. We appreciate Congresswoman Lee's support and recognition of the importance of Meals on Wheels. Additional public and private funding are necessary to sustain this growing need in Southern Nevada."
About Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada:
Since 1941, the mission of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada has been to serve those in need — the most vulnerable — regardless of race, religion or creed. This leading community resource offers help and hope with dignity as it strives to meet the diverse needs of men, women and children in Southern Nevada. Through the generosity of foundations, grants, organizations and individual donors, Catholic Charities operates 16 programs providing support to more than 4,200 people daily and encompassing four core areas: Family Services, Food Services, Immigration and Refugee Services and Homeless and Housing Services. Catholic Charities also operates the largest Meals on Wheels program and Emergency Shelter Services in Southern Nevada. For additional information, please visit CatholicCharities.com.