SJCS Recognizes Hillsborough County's 40 Years of Support

Merrimack, NH – St. Joseph Community Services Meals on Wheels Program recently recognized the Hillsborough County Delegation and Board of Commissioners for their historic programmatic support.

“For forty years, Hillsborough County and St. Joseph Community Services have partnered to serve the poor, the sick, the elderly and the disabled. The support that Hillsborough County has provided for the Meals on Wheels Program has been instrumental in reducing hunger and isolation for the poorest and frailest among us,” said Meghan Brady, President of St. Joseph Community Services, Inc.

St. Joseph Community Services, Inc. was established in 1977 and over the years has served more than 13 million meals to the homebound, older and disabled adults throughout Hillsborough County.

The office of Hillsborough County Commissioners stated, “The Board of Commissioners was honored to be presented with an award from St. Joseph Community Services Meals on Wheels in recognition of our long term partnership. The Board of Commissioners is happy to support such a great program which offers older and disabled adults who are homebound the tools necessary to make changes in their own lives to improve their self-sufficiency, independence and autonomy. The positive impact by Meals on Wheels to those they serve is invaluable.”

The Meals on Wheels program has a measurable impact on decreasing hunger and isolation. Fifty-six percent of program participates state that because of the program they are less hungry. Sixty-one percent report that because of this program they can remain at home. Sixty-eight percent report that they feel safer with someone checking on them. For the majority of clients, the driver is the only person they will see that day, but for 19% of them, the driver who delivers the meals is the only person they will see all week.

“Hillsborough County is honored to participate in the forty year partnership with St. Joseph Community Services, Inc. Meals on Wheels to provide support of programming that tends to the well-being of older adults in our community. The dedication of both Hillsborough County and SJCS to promote better physical, mental, and social well-being of participants ensures essential resources to residents and promotes positive community relations. The plaque gifted was a wonderful representation of residents who have benefited from County support of the SJCS Meals on Wheels Program,” stated Donald LeBrun, Chairman, Hillsborough County Executive Committee.