It was an absolute beautiful Saturday morning in Kissimmee as the community geared up for an awesome St Patrick’s Day March for Meals 5K,  which partners with the Osceola Council On Aging in their quest to end senior hunger. Wilda Belisle, from The Osceola Council on Aging and Director of Osceola County’s Meals On Wheels program, once again put together an amazing community-wide 5K with over 400 participants. This year there was a “sea of green” as many participants and spectators joined the festivities adorned in St. Patricks Day green apparel, then made their way down the Kissimmee Lakefront Park to participate or to simply enjoy and support the 5k Run/Walk.

Osceola County still has a large number of senior citizens who go hungry every day, and as hard as Wilda Belisle and her Meals On Wheels team work, there is unfortunately still a waiting list for people needing assistance.

The Osceola Council on Aging focuses on utilizing programs like Meals on Wheels to ensure that no one must misses a meal as they serve all generations. That’s a challenging task given the rapid growth that is taking place in Osceola County and the number of families that recently arrived after the being displaced from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the island.

Osceola’s Meals On Wheels has been recognized as one of most effective and efficient in the nation, but for it to continue to do so it requires more and more help from our growing community. The March for Meals 5K is part of that support!

Every registrant in the 5K received a green t-shirt, a participation metal, and an unending amount of free hotdogs. There was an amazingly energetic DJ and a silent auction that also raised money for the cause. The 5K event was for people of all ages and abilities and with over 400 participants it was easy to see that the community stepped up to make a positive difference and to help end senior hunger!

If you need more information about how you can help Meals On Wheels and the Osceola Council On Aging, contact Wilda Belisle, Nutrition Director for The Osceola Council on Aging at 407-847-2144. Every day the Council On Aging shows its heart for the community and is a shining lighting in caring, restoring, equipping and serving ALL generations!