Meals on Wheels is about much more than food. Along with their lunches, the program delivers human connection to seniors who may live alone.
“Every meal delivered today is more than just food,” said William Santiago, Senior Services Director for the Osceola Council on Aging. “It’s a connection, a reminder that our seniors are valued and supported.”
The clients receive a hot meal and a cold meal each day … along with a check-in from a friendly face. Meals on Wheels volunteers are trained to take notice of any irregularities when they make their deliveries as a way of making sure clients are well.
“I have a team that goes out every day to deliver meals, and also, they are our front line,” Santiago said. “The one that doesn’t answer the door—we don’t leave the house until we make contact either with the client or the emergency contact. We have found clients that have fallen the night before, and we are the first one to notice and call 911. Basically, my program is a big family that we watch out for our clients.” Last week, members of law enforcement and local government joined Meals on Wheels volunteers as part of “Community Champions Week” to experience all that the program entails.
St. Cloud City Council members Jennifer Paul and Kolby Urban joined Jo Ann Henry to visit some St. Cloud seniors.
“You’ve got a big crowd coming in!” one client commented with a grin as he maneuvered his walker to open his door to Paul, Urban, and Henry.
Meeting the people and developing a relationship with them is Henry’s favorite part of delivering the meals, she said as they drove away from his house. “I can do a route in Kissimmee, and we can talk for 20 minutes,” she said.
Osceola County’s Meals on Wheels program currently serves 200 clients and has another 400 on a waiting list. According to Santiago, the cost for serving each client can be around $2,500 a month.
“It’s not a secret we need the funds. We need donations. That’s the way that we can cover the cost of us delivering the meals and everything,” he said.
And it isn’t just individuals who can volunteer or donate. Santiago said some local businesses have sponsored meals and taken on delivery routes. With over 12 million older Americans still facing food insecurity, and one in three seniors experiencing loneliness, those donations can go a long way in ensuring that the program can continue addressing food insecurity, combating social isolation, and fostering independence.
