Peterson receives award
For The Journal
Published Friday, November 2, 2007

A longtime advocate for Minnesota seniors, Congressman Collin Peterson received the Champion for Seniors Award in Washington D.C. on Tuesday from President/CEO Mark Peterson of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. JoAnn Zutz, a representative of Congressman Peterson's office, accepted the award locally at the annual Senior Nutrition banquet on September 19 in Thief River Falls.
President/CEO Mark Peterson said that the congressman has long supported healthy senior life, especially in rural areas, and continues to advocate for proposals that ensure good nutrition through Senior Nutrition and access to other important links for seniors in the community.
“We appreciate Congressman Peterson's support of Senior Nutrition, and our new service delivery strategy that brings together important services older adults need to stay healthy and live as independently as possible in their communities,” he said. “Whether it's supporting caregivers, providing nutritious meals, helping manage personal affairs or offering home care services, we want to ensure that seniors can maintain a high quality of life at home while maintaining choice and opportunities to make their valuable contributions in the community.”
Since 1973, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota has provided nutritious, low-cost meals, along with home-delivered meals to homebound seniors in scores of small rural towns and communities in western Minnesota to help older adults avoid illness and stay healthy so that they can lead active and independent lives. The statewide organization also a wide range of other older adults services including Guardianship Options, Caregiver Support to Caregivers, Home Care services, Senior Companions, and Foster Grandparents.
“Congressman Peterson has exemplified outstanding leadership on senior and rural issues because he understands the importance of keeping our seniors healthy and our communities strong in rural Minnesota,” said Monica Douglas, director of Senior Nutrition for Lutheran Social Service. “His service in Congress helps us work toward our vision that all people have the opportunity to live and work in community with dignity, safety and hope.”
Lutheran Social Service also offers a wide variety of other human services relating to the basics of life-food, shelter, safety, physical and emotional well-being. The non-profit organization, headquartered in St. Paul, serves over 100,000 Minnesotans yearly with operations in 300 Minnesota communities, and employs over 2,200 people. For comprehensive information about the organization's statewide services, visit www.lssmn.org