Access Care Partners Launches Campaign to Support Older Adults Facing Hunger, Isolation
HOLYOKE — Access Care Partners (formerly WestMass ElderCare) recently launched Feed the Need, a community-driven campaign to address the urgent and growing needs of older adults experiencing hunger and isolation across Western Mass. As demand for home-delivered meals and support services continues to rise, Access Care Partners is calling on the community to take action and ensure no one is left behind.
“Here in Western Massachusetts, we deliver over 1,200 meals each day — but we know the need is even greater,” said Roseann Martoccia, executive director of Access Care Partners. “With rising costs and an aging population, we need increased funding, more volunteers, and stronger community support to make sure everyone who needs help receives it.”
To spotlight this critical issue and demonstrate their commitment, state legislators and local leaders are joining Access Care Partners for the end of March and into April to deliver meals and connect with older adult constituents. These community champions will accompany Access Care Partners’ home-delivered meals drivers between the hours of 8 and 11 a.m. as they deliver meals across Holyoke, Chicopee, Ludlow, South Hadley, Granby, and Ware.
Among the participants are Chicopee Mayor John Vieau (Monday, March 23); Jennifer Pickering, district director for state Sen. Jacob Oliveira (Thursday, March 26); state Rep. Mindy Domb (Monday, March 30); Holyoke City Councilor Juan Anderson-Burgos (Monday, March 30); state Sen. Jacob Oliveira (Friday, April 3); state Rep. Shirley Arriaga (date pending); and state Rep. Homar Gomez (date pending).
Despite the program’s impact, too many older adults in the region are still waiting — for meals, for care, and for connection. One in three home-delivered meals recipients report that their driver is their only consistent social contact. Yet, limited government funding — with Older Americans Act programs receiving less than 0.05% of total federal spending — combined with minimal philanthropic support, continues to create significant barriers to access. In fact, less than 1% of U.S. foundation giving goes to older adult causes, despite older adults representing nearly one-fifth of the total population.
“Programs like ours are about more than meals — they are about dignity, independence, and human connection,” Martoccia added. “Feed the Need is our call to action for the community to come together and support our older neighbors.”
To support Access Care Partners’ work or learn how to volunteer, donate, or advocate, visit www.accesscarepartners.org or contact Lynn Wolf at lwolf@accesscarepartners.org or (413) 538-9020, ext. 329.