United We Serve: Let’s Read. Let’s Move, is happy to be working with Meals on Wheels in an effort to ensure access to healthy and affordable food for all Americans, young and old.

The Meals On Wheels Association of America is the oldest and largest national organization in the United States representing those programs that provide meals to people in need. Meals On Wheels is composed of and represents local, community-based Senior Nutrition Programs across the country and boasts the largest volunteer army in the country.

Right now is a particularly exciting to get involved, as 22 amazing Meals On Wheels volunteers from across the country are locked in a heated competition - vying to become the next American Volunteer. Each one of them, from 4-year-old Xavier May to 95-year-old “High Five” John Gill, are featured in videos revealing the special character of someone who is dedicated to ensuring that no senior goes hungry.

This is the second year of the American Volunteer contest, which is just one way to say “thank you” and “great job” to some of the stand-out Meals On Wheels volunteers who provide a lifeline for America’s hungry, homebound and forgotten seniors. They are the backbone of America’s Meals On Wheels programs.

So check out the videos, vote for your favorite (hurry! the polls close August 1^st) and get inspired to help provide access to healthy and affordable food for all Americans!

Childhood obesity is a serious and growing epidemic. It cuts across all categories of race, ethnicity, family income and locale. For the first time in our history, American children may face a shorter expected lifespan than their parents. That is why the Corporation for National and Community Service has joined forces with the Department of Health and Human Services, the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and the First Lady’s Let’s Move. initiative to address this important issue facing America’s future as part of United We Serve’s summer initiative, Let’s Read. Let’s Move.
 

A key component of the United We Serve:Let's Read. Let's Move initiative is using service to increase access to healthy and affordable food for youth. This summer, farmers, gardeners, market managers, and volunteers can expand their impact by connecting with United We Serve and utilizing the Let's Glean! Toolkit.
 

It is always exciting to see what happens when a community comes together to develop solutions to its most pressing issues. Led by Rev. Kenneth S. Robinson, M.D., Pastor and CEO of St. Andrew AME Church Enterprise, more than 22 South Memphis organizations, business and religious institutions worked together over 18 months to plan how to revitalize their neighborhood - and today, we see the first fruits of that labor (literally) with the opening of the South Memphis Farmers Market.
 

United We Serve: Let’s Read. Let’s Move. is thrilled to partner with Catholic Charities. Catholic Charities USA is an organization that provides assistance to more than 8.5 million people annually who are in need - they explore all avenues to secure resources and supports to assist families in meeting their basic needs and moving beyond poverty.
 

Two years ago two residents of Shelton, Washington donated a large parcel of their property to the city. They wanted it to be called Catalyst Park in hopes that it would someday provide a place for the neighborhood to gather, play, and grow together. This year our local Food Bank Garden, which was housed at the County Fair Grounds, was eliminated due to the county’s budget issues. Our Shelton 4-Hers, together with Washington State University Master Gardeners, have partnered with our local Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club, Optimists, and the Food Bank to re-create the Food Bank Garden into the Catalyst Garden.
 

Hunger doesn’t take a break in the summer. The U. S. Department of Agriculture and Let's Read. Let's Move. will encourage America’s children to plant community gardens through the People’s Garden Initiative, and use volunteers to connect children with healthy foods and meals as part of the Summer Food Service Program. Toolkits provide individuals and organizations guidance on building community gardens and ways to volunteer to deliver meals to youth.
 

Eating Healthy -East Chicago" was developed specifically by Catholic Charities for families in East Chicago, Indiana, with young children who depend on food pantries for a regular portion of their diet. For these families there is often a problem with using food pantry food nutritiously. Some individuals have little knowledge of nutrition; others are unfamiliar with correct food preparation, or they don't have equipment with which to prepare nutritious meals. This program was developed after many clients of the Catholic Charities' Food Pantry in East Chicago expressed an interest in learning the basics of nutrition in order to provide healthy, well-balanced meals for their children.
 

From January 9 in San Diego to June 12 in Sacramento, Melissa W. will join others to walk up the California coast and over to Sacramento to raise diabetes awareness and encourage healthy habits among middle school students.
 

Feeling overwhelmed sometimes by the magnitude of the poverty, homelessness, and violence in this country and in our world, a volunteer learns to keep giving, keep loving, keep trying. “You never run out of capacity for these things,” she says.
 

The College Assistance Migrant Program Alumni Association will launch the 2nd National Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive Challenge in March 2010. This national service learning program promotes the engagement of U.S. Hispanic college health students as organizers in a national donor recruitment campaign. The students organize blood drive campaigns on their college/university campuses as part of this national competition.
 

For 32 years, Chore Service has performed minor household repairs to help elderly and disabled remain safe in their homes. The driving force of Chore Service has been the dedicated, compassionate volunteers who perform the repairs. These are extraordinary people, willing to lend their time and considerable talents to help others.
 

A student learns that "art can be an exceptionally powerful tool toward communications and healing when words and discussions fall short." The exhibit she organizes is about restoring a connection: between victims of domestic violence and a community through a visual narrative form -- ART.
 

During the first "Make a Delicious Difference Week," 10,000 Kraft Foods employees in more than 32 countries gave their time to help fight hunger, support healthy lifestyles, and build stronger communities around the world. It was the largest volunteer initiative ever in Kraft Foods’ history.
 

Volunteers at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., have contributed more than 32,00 hours of service to the community. Celebrating 50 years of service, the hospital established the Sibley Heart Pillow Project this year to provide heart-shaped pillows to breast cancer patients for use after surgery.
 

The Lemon Lounge, a community project inspired by one little girl's dream to find the cure for childhood cancer, has raised nearly $1,500 for pediatric cancer research.
 

Today, girls face many obstacles. Girls in the Game empowers girls to overcome challenges. Game Day events introduce girls of all ages to different sports and fitness activities while teaching leadership, nutrition, and life-skills.
 

I know cancer all too well. It robbed me of my father, aunt, grandmother, and grandfather. Because of that, I know how important a helping hand can be for cancer patients and their families.
 

Tay-bandz, an nonprofit organization founded by a young cancer patient, raises public awareness about childhood cancer and funds for research.
 

Jobs and homes have been lost, but if Dr. Alan Singer can help it marriages will not be lost to this recession. Dr. Singer, a family therapist in central New Jersey, volunteers his services on the weekends for couples hard-hit by the recession.
 

Shafia Clinic is a community-oriented aternative for people who cannot afford medical treatment. Operated by a volunteer team of physicians, nurses, and administrative staff, Shifa Clinic also receives generous donations from the community.
 

Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and Kathy Calvin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the UN Foundation educated students about malaria and encouraged them to work within their communities to help prevent the deadly disease.
 

Pratyusha Yalamanchi is making a difference locally and globally.
 

I am a senior and member of the varsity cheerleading squad at Stone Bridge High School. This year I helped organize my team to participate in a community service project to commemorate September 11.
 

Students from 11 New York City schools competed in the first Teen Iron Chef competition of culinary skills and talent organized by HealthCorps®, Family Cook Productions and Urban Assembly School of Music and Art.
 

In addition to sharing a visual impairment, students in the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Form in Art program also share a great enthusiasm for art, as is demonstrated by these works from their annual exhibition on display through August 2009.
 

The University Muslim Medical Association (UMMA) Community Clinic is the first full-time community health center in the United States established by Muslims.
 

The Sharing the Harvest Community Farm Project is a collaboration between the Dartmouth YCMA and the Greater New Bedford Hunger Commission of Southeastern Massachusetts, a program of the United Way.
 

UPS human resource employees had an opportunity to spend an afternoon working with Women on the Rise, an organization that supports parenting and early childhood education.
 

These are the moments that make our job worth it. At any other camp, these kids would've been sent home days ago, but that's not true with us. We'll find some way to make it work. Because every kid deserves a chance to go to summer camp.
 

I have gotten more out of seeing the residences' smiles, their excitement, their love than I really can explain in words.
 

National Program Prepares Coaches to Help Athletes with Asthma.
 

The US Department of Health and Human Services partnered with Safe Shores on a back to school supply drive and flu educational event.
 

“It’s a good feeling to use my skills to volunteer and help the school," said Anne, a retired nurse serving her community.
 

It's never too late to start helping others.
 

Ella M. was restless during a brief period of retirement in Florida. Looking for new purpose in this phase of her life, she returned to her home state of New Jersey and started volunteering at the local hospital. It turned out to be the perfect fit. Now 93 years old, and after having battled and defeated cancer twice herself, Ella has volunteered nearly 32,000 hours at the hospital and has no plans to stop.
 

Because of the time, talent, and treasure of the Foresters, more than 600 children impacted by cancer will have a summer camp experience to remember.
 

Good nutrition is important for everyone, but incorporating high-quality food, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, can be challenging for people as they age and their appetites diminish.
 

 "I believe the best thing we can do in life is give service to others and that is part of the mission of 4-H, to pledge our hands to larger service"
 

Just before the summer began, the Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast learned that they would not be able to serve lunch to their youth club members for the first time in five years. This lasted for weeks, until Morgan Stanley stepped in to help.
 

Family honors daughter lost to ovarian cancer through service and creating awareness around the disease.
 

Dr. Angela began a community health program at Korean Resource Center (KRC) with a group of Korean American medical students. Monthly clinics are held that provide individual consultations to low-income uninsured Korean Americans, many of whom have been diagnosed with illnesses.
 

The Mid-South Lions Club donates a life changing surgery to a little girl who was attacked by a pitbull.
 

I know that volunteering makes our community a better place to live and extends a helping hand to those in need.
 

Right To Play sponsored an exchange program between athletes in Jordan and the United States. The program recognizes the universal appeal of sport as an ideal vehicle to inform, educate and empower entire communities.
 

Health Corps strives to help stem the crisis of child obesity through school-based health education and mentoring, as well as community events and outreach to underserved populations.
 

These citizens will be especially active during National Health Center Week, August 9th - 16th, 2009. Visit NACHC’s site www.healthcenterweek.com to find out about Health Center Week events near you.
 

A Community Health Corps member shares their story of service.
 

One volunteer shares the story of how she benefitted personally through service to her community.
 

Believe me, volunteering does wonders for a wounded soul because I received far more than I gave.
 

The Breakthrough Leaders Program's main focus is leadership and one way we did that was by volunteering at a near by care center.
 

I get an overwhelming sense of satisfaction to be able to give something back to the hospital whose dedicated employees worked so hard to give my husband his life back. They gave me my life back too.
 

By helping to care for others and feeding others, the love and compassion of the souls shines brightly. There is nothing more important in life than love for others.
 

A little help to get back on their feet.
 

The Sons of Norway answer the President's call to service.
 

One woman's personal satisfaction in service.
 

When Darius decided to boldly take action, he was able to make an impact in his life and the lives of countless others.
 

Over a six-week session 16 kids called the "Skilleteers" planned, filmed, and starred in a children's cooking show that now airs on CAT TV in Columbia, Missouri.
 

On June 23rd, Nothing But Nets engaged youth in a global campaign to fight one of the biggest killers in Africa, malaria.
 

“Will you marry me?” were the last words I expected to hear on my first day of volunteering with Kids Enjoy Exercise Now (KEEN).
 

A group of 60 teens from 25 schools in Kentucky raises over $30,000 and does more than 3,000 hours of service each year.
 

A longtime blood donor comes to intimately understand the power of her service.
 

A community comes together to make the quality of living better for one little girl and, in turn, everyone benefits.
 

One recent graduate finds a renewed sense of purpose in her volunteer efforts.
 

Nearly 50% of residents of Lansing Michigan are living at or near poverty levels. In an effort to help residents stretch their financial resources and improve their access to nutritious, locally grown foods, the Old Town Commercial Association is sponsoring the first ever Community Garden project.
 

A true testament to how a commitment to serve benefits the community as well as the individual.