In June 2024, Meals on Wheels San Diego County (MOWSDC) required an urgent, high-impact, multi-channel campaign with a fast turnaround (under 2 weeks) to increase enrollment of local seniors in their meal delivery program.
Working with our earned media partner Scatena Daniels Communications (SDC) and traditional media partner RobertStemler Media (RSM), the 2-month campaign elevated the nonprofit’s mission of combating senior hunger and isolation, two growing challenges affecting aging populations. In addition to direct enrollment, the campaign aimed to attract new volunteers to sustain and expand Meals on MOWSDC’s vital services.
A multi-channel media strategy was developed to maximize reach and impact, targeting both seniors in need of meal services and their family members, caregivers, and advocates who could help facilitate enrollment.
Creative Strategy + Design: The campaign amplified the “More Than a Meal” messaging, which has been a focus of earned media efforts led by Scatena Daniels Communications since 2020. This phrase emphasized that MOWSDC is more than just a food delivery service—it provides seniors with Connection, Independence, and Nutrition. The storytelling approach focused on humanizing the aging experience of seniors—our parents, grandparents, and loved ones—who face nutrition insecurity, isolation, and the challenges of independent living.
Visually, the campaign was designed to authentically represent San Diego’s underserved senior communities, ensuring diversity and relatability. The imagery and messaging reinforced MOWSDC’s role as a lifeline for seniors, highlighting the profound impact of a simple meal—offering sustenance, companionship, and dignity.
MOWSDC successfully used $100,000 in grant funding for a multi-media ad campaign ($75,000 for ads and $25,000 for an independent videographer to create a TV PSA) utilizing out-of-home posters (billboards), television, Google search, Google Display & Remarketing, Meta: Facebook & Instagram.
MOWSDC received a total added value of $59,560.92 in paid media. As a result of the ads, MOWSDC received 173 volunteer applicants.
Overall, the integrated media campaign was imperative to reaching more isolated, hungry seniors and recruiting more volunteers so MOWSDC has the capacity to serve more seniors. Most importantly, they amplified the integrated campaign and reinforced the impact of the “More Than a Meal” message.