Updated at 6:55 a.m., Thursday, March 22, 2007
Seniors to march today in support of meals program
Advertiser Staff
More than 300 senior citizens and others concerned about hunger among the elderly will march from Honolulu Hale to the State Capitol this morning in support of the "March for Meals" campaign.Organized jointly by Lanakila Meals on Wheels and Hawaii Meals on Wheels, the demonstration is part of a national initiative to raise awareness of senior hunger and the growing need for resources.
The public is invited to join Mayor Mufi Hannemann and other elected officials who will take part in the march.
Marchers will gather at Honolulu Hale at 9:30 a.m. before heading across the street to the State Capitol.
Event organizers said Hawai'i's senior population is growing at about twice the rate of most places on the Mainland and there is a critical need here for senior services.
Because of inadequate funding, a daily average of 150 seniors remain on waiting lists for three months or more, before they can get meals, and the list continues to grow, organizers said.
Lanakila Meals on Wheels and Hawaii Meals on Wheels are aggressively seeking to increase awareness of senior hunger in Hawai'i and the growing need for resources — both financial and volunteer.
