Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital signed an agreement to transfer the sponsorship of Meals on Wheels Mesa County to Volunteers of America Colorado, a nonprofit, faith-based organization with expertise in senior nutrition programs across the state.

The transition will take effect April 18.

St. Mary’s served as the sponsoring organization for Meals on Wheels Mesa County for more than 35 years, the hospital said in a news release. When the donation- and grant-funded program faced closure in 1989, St. Mary’s stepped in to ensure it could continue. Since then, the program has grown into a vital community resource, now delivering roughly 136,000 nutritious meals each year through home delivery and eight dining sites, the news release said.

“Meals on Wheels Mesa County is an essential lifeline for so many seniors in our community,” said Bryan Johnson, president of St. Mary’s Regional Hospital. “We have been honored to support this mission and recognize Volunteers of America Colorado is uniquely positioned to carry this work into the future. This transition ensures the program is well-positioned for continued growth and long-term success.”

The sponsorship organization provides essential in-kind support for the Meals on Wheels Mesa County program, including human resources, information technology, facilities management, financial oversight and fundraising support, the news release said.

“St. Mary’s decades of support have been essential to Meals on Wheels’ success, and we’re grateful for the stability and compassion they’ve brought to this program,” Meals on Wheels Mesa County Program Director Amanda de Bock said. “As we bring together what St. Mary’s has built with this new transition, it’s our hope more seniors will be served, continuing to make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults in our community. We appreciate all St. Mary’s and VOA Colorado have done to help make this transition as smooth as possible.”

As part of the transition, St. Mary’s will continue its commitment to senior nutrition by donating $250,000 to Meals on Wheels Mesa County over the next five years, supporting long-term program sustainability and helping the program reach more seniors in need.

With more than 45 years of service on the Western Slope, VOA Colorado brings deep local roots and statewide experience to the program, the news release said.

VOA Colorado currently supports Meals on Wheels programs in Northern Colorado and the Denver metro area, providing more than 2.2 million meals last year. The organization also offers a range of services to western Colorado communities, including housing and veteran programs.

“Our priority is clear: to ensure meals remain on the tables of the seniors who depend on them and to sustain this program for years to come,” said Dave Schunk, president and CEO of VOA Colorado. “We are deeply committed to this community and to strengthening the relationships and services that help older adults live with dignity and independence.”

All Meals on Wheels Mesa County employees will have the opportunity to transition from employment with St. Mary’s to VOA Colorado to continue supporting the program, the news release said.

The more than 300 volunteers who dedicate their time to delivering meals and supporting the program are encouraged to continue their service with VOA Colorado as the program moves forward under the new sponsorship.

The Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Colorado, the oversight agency for Meals on Wheels Mesa County, contracts with Meals on Wheels Mesa County to provide congregate and home-delivered meals funded by the Older Americans Act and the Older Coloradans Act.

“This transition represents thoughtful planning and a focus on the future,” said Heather Jones, director of Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Colorado. “The Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Colorado fully supports Meals on Wheels Mesa County as they begin this new chapter with VOA Colorado. … We are confident this transition will ensure long-term stability and continued service to the community.”