FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 11, 2013) – Community Cooperative Ministries, Inc. received a $2,000 Gold Plus Award from the Meals On Wheels Association of American for its recent March For Meals campaign efforts including Cape Coral Mayor John Sullivan’s participation on Mayors For Meals Day.

March For Meals is a national campaign during the month of March, initiated by the MOWAA, which seeks to raise awareness of senior hunger and to encourage action on the part of the local community. This year, the MOWAA awarded 199 programs’ campaigns for their success, awarding more than $150,000 in grants for exemplary efforts, with just six of those programs receiving the Gold Plus Award.

“March For Meals is an exciting time for CCMI, as we get to highlight our Meals On Wheels program and share its efforts with the rest of the community,” said Tracey Galloway, CEO of CCMI. “This award will go toward those efforts and help us reach out to more homebound seniors in need.”

Senior Nutrition Programs across the United States, like CCMI, promote March For Meals in their local communities through public events, partnerships with local businesses, volunteer recruitment and fundraising initiatives.

“For many of our senior clients, the delivery they receive from their Meals On Wheels drivers may be the only social interaction they have during the day, which is another reason why it’s important we keep this program available and are extremely thankful for the continued support,” said Galloway.

The Meals On Wheels Association of America is the only national association and network dedicated solely to ending senior hunger in America. It is the oldest and largest organization composed of and representing local, community-based Senior Nutrition Programs in all 50 states and U.S. territories. The vision of Meals On Wheels is to end senior hunger by 2020. 

CCMI is an innovative nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization made up of social service entrepreneurs fighting to end homelessness and hunger in our community. The agency provides more than 15,000 meals each month through its Everyday Café and Marketplace and Home Delivered Meals programs. CCMI also educates 40 children in its Community Montessori Preschool, offers homeless services and comprehensive case coaching services through its United Way Resource Houses, oversees an emergency mobile food pantry and supplies weekend backpacks full of food to more than 1,500 children each school year.

CCMI serves Fort Myers and the greater Lee County area, including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres. CCMI works in partnership with United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades, Harry Chapin Food Bank and regional community foundations as well as collaborating with fellow community and service groups including The School District of Lee County and numerous churches, businesses and community support organizations.

For more information, call 239-332-7687 or visit www.ccmileecounty.com.