It’s time to March for Meals !
Food insecurity and isolation are two major problems facing seniors in our community. With the cost of food and transportation, more and more seniors are finding it harder to age at home. Can you help them?
Your donation will help provide isolated and vulnerable seniors across Pembroke-Renfrew County access to a nutritious meal delivered to their door. But Meal Delivery is more than just ensuring nutrition; it’s also about making sure someone is doing okay.
Your donation helps change this. You’ll be helping put a meal on a table and smile on a face.
A $20 donation, means three meals and three visits. A $100 donation means fifteen times, the gift of nutrition and friendship is coming into someone’s life thanks to you.
Our seniors have looked after us their whole lives. It’s time for us to look after them.
A lot of people struggle with isolation and feelings of loneliness. Seniors in particular are at risk, with 1 in 5 people over the age of 65 reporting that they lack companionship.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, most people had an easier time maintaining their social life. The lockdowns and social distancing during the pandemic disrupted this, and many people had a hard time reconnecting after lockdowns were lifted. This has been especially impactful to seniors, who often lack a means of transportation and are less familiar with virtual socializing.
Social isolation can be very harmful to your health. Studies show that social isolation and feelings of loneliness can contribute to:
- Depression
- Poor sleep habits
- A weakened immune system
- Worsened cardiovascular health
Forging connections with people is essential to your health. Forming community is more than just a warm fuzzy feeling; human beings need it. If you’re a senior looking to build new relationships and don’t know where to start, here are some resources that might be helpful for you.
Public Libraries
Libraries are a great place to meet people and make friends. They’re not just for checking out books; most libraries host social events and clubs as well. In Ottawa libraries you can find writing groups, knitting groups and book clubs, among other things. Look at your local library’s website and there will be a section for clubs and events.
Senior Community Centers
Community centers often host events to get people more involved in the community. Senior centers are also designed to be fully accessible. The activities offered usually include card games, exercise programs and congregate meals. Check out your local community center online or by phone to see what they have to offer.
Volunteer
Volunteering is a great way to reduce isolation and meet new people. You don’t need to come away from the experience with a best friend; it’s just nice sometimes to spend a day among people sharing a desire to make the world a better place. A great place to look for opportunities is Volunteer Ottawa, the City of Pembroke and on the Carefor website, where we’re always looking for people to make our clients’ days a bit brighter.
Connect with family and old friends
One of the great things about the internet is it allows you to connect with people from your past. Whether it be through social media sites like Facebook or sites that help you find friends from your school days, there are many ways to find old friends.
Connect online
For those who might be dealing with mobility restrictions or who live far away from family and friends, the internet is a great way to connect with and find new social networks around things that interest you. Connecting online might be intimidating but luckily there are resources available to support you.
Carefor
Carefor offers several ways for seniors to stay connected. Depending on your location, we have services and programs to choose from that meet different needs. Adult Day Programs for people living with dementia (Ottawa and Eastern Counties), the Companion Program (Pembroke-Renfrew County) and Seniors Group Exercise (Eastern Counties) are all great opportunities to meet new people.
If you cannot access the mentioned services due to a disability, consider checking out OC Transpo’s Para Transpo service or Carefor’s transportation services. Carefor also offers one-on-one social visits that can take place in your own home or over the phone.
Additionally, if you require some extra help around the house with cleaning or personal care, Carefor offers Personal Support and Homemaking Services. These can be more than just some help and can offer social connection.
Finally, Carefor also operates retirement homes in Pembroke and a retirement home for women living with dementia in Richmond in west Ottawa, which allow people who are unable to or choose not to live at home anymore the ability to connect with new friends.
To see which Carefor services are in your area or find more resources, visit our website.
It’s time to March for Meals !
Food insecurity and isolation are two major problems facing seniors in our community. With the cost of food and transportation, more and more seniors are finding it harder to age at home. Can you help them?
Your donation will help provide isolated and vulnerable seniors across your community access to a nutritious meal delivered to their door. But Meal Delivery is more than just ensuring nutrition; it’s also about making sure someone is doing okay.
Your donation helps change this. You’ll be helping put a meal on a table and smile on a face.
Our seniors have looked after us their whole lives. It’s time for us to look after them.
March for Meals: Helping Corrie Stay Healthy and Connected
Volunteer Marilyn with Corrie and Fundraising Manager, Rhonda Simpson
The Meal Delivery Program at the Lan‑Char Support Centre in Lancaster begins each day with something simple but powerful: neighbours looking out for one another. With up to one-third of seniors living alone, a warm meal delivered with a friendly smile can mean the difference between isolation and connection. For many seniors, these meals are not only nourishment, but are also a reminder that someone cares.
Nancy Contant has seen this impact firsthand. After more than 25 years volunteering with Carefor, first through footcare and now through meal delivery, she knows how meaningful a brief visit can be. Living in Lancaster and caring full‑time for her 100‑year‑old mother, Nancy says the program enriches her life as much as it does the clients’. “Meeting all the clients and making a difference in their lives” is what keeps her going, she explains. It’s also how she met Marilyn, who has become one of her closest friends. Volunteering, she adds, gives her a chance to recharge and is “a social outing to help others” that doubles as caregiver support for herself.
Marilyn Lebrun joined the program two years ago, shortly after retiring and welcoming a new granddaughter. Encouraged by Nancy, she quickly discovered how fulfilling the work could be. “A lot of people know me in the community, so it’s a great social outing,” she says. “It feels good to give back.” Like Nancy, she treasures the friendships she’s formed along the way.
One of the people they visit regularly is Corrie Flipsen. Corrie lives alone, though she has a large and loving extended family. The Meal Delivery Program allows her to maintain her independence without relying on them for daily help. She loves the hot meals, but even more, she loves the visits. “Meeting new people and socializing with the volunteers gives me something to look forward to,” she says.
These stories reflect the heart of Carefor’s five Senior Support Centres in Alexandria, Lancaster, Ingleside, Winchester, and Finch. Each centre provides essential services that help seniors age safely at home, stay socially connected, and feel supported in their community. As Lan‑Char Support Centre supervisor Tina Castonguay puts it:
“Our meal delivery program means that many seniors can stay at home, where they want to and for some, where they need to due to the cost of retirement homes. We’re proud to help our seniors live with independence.”
During March for Meals, we are looking for donations to support our meal delivery programs as well as people who want to volunteer. Visit our website to find out more information about
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