Meals-on-Wheels Needs Help for the Holidays

The holidays are here, and for Meals-on-Wheels, like everyone else, it is a busy and critical time of the year. With school being out and people going on vacation, Meals-on-Wheels needs caring volunteers to help deliver meals during the holidays. In addition, we are in need for additional routes to be added to meet the growing need of seniors in our area.

This time of year, especially, elderly people that live alone tend to suffer from depression, and there is an even greater need to check on the homebound disabled and elderly persons in the community. "With the holidays approaching, it is more important than ever, for dedicated volunteers to be available to check on our seniors daily," said Whitney Patterson, volunteer coordinator for Johnson County.

Currently, Meals-on-Wheels has over 80 delivery routes providing meals countywide, with the need for 4 more. Meals-on-Wheels depends on its volunteers to deliver to 22 communities in our service area. "At this time, we have volunteer needs in all the areas we serve," Ms. Patterson continued.

Prepared meals are picked up and served Monday through Friday between eleven A.M. and the noon hour county-wide, with delivery times taking no longer than an hour. Volunteers are provided with detailed directions and instructions, and help when they can, whether it is weekly, a couple of times a month, or simply on an as needed basis.

"With daily contact from our volunteers, Meals-on-Wheels helps deal with the loneliness that many homebound persons feel on a regular basis, and especially during the holidays," added Patterson. "In some cases, the volunteer might be the only person a senior sees all day," she continued.

Meals-on-Wheels is projected to feed over 52,000 meals—lunch and breakfast—between Thanksgiving Day and the first of the New Year, serving 750 people each day of the week. This is the time of year the organization also conducts its annual holiday appeal, and is accepting donations to help with the cost of meals. One home-delivered meal costs $6.45.

If you are interested in volunteering, donating, or if you know of someone who could benefit from Meals-on-Wheels services, please contact us at info@mowjec.org.