More than just a meal

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent
 
For well over a quarter of a century, the Weston County Senior Center has been providing an average of 50 to 60 lunches five times a week for seniors still living at home.  
Naomi Miglia, who has been volunteering since the beginning, said the Meals on Wheels delivery program started in the basement cafeteria of the hospital. Later, it operated out of the Old Mill Inn and then at the Senior Center, when it was located in downtown Newcastle and now at its current location, 627 Pine St. 
“We have wonderful volunteers that deliver meals each day,” said Carolyn Shields, the Weston County Senior Services executive director. “Anyone can volunteer, and we appreciate it very much. We would not be able to do what we do without our faithful volunteers.”
Shields said that the program has about 16 regular volunteers and 6 substitutes, who take turns delivering meals each day, but the exact number varies. First State Bank also sends people to help. The volunteers usually travel in pairs, with one serving as the chauffeur and the other as the meal runner. Volunteers start around 11 a.m., Shields said, and are usually back from delivering meals by noon, depending on how many there are. As payment for their services, volunteers receive a free meal. 
What started out as a single route is now broken up into west and east routes so the meals can be distributed more quickly before turning cold, Miglia said. According to Shields, meals are delivered within a 5-mile radius of Newcastle, but volunteers also deliver to Osage and Upton. 
“It’s grown a lot,” Shields said. 
Those who want to sign up for the program can call the senior center at 307-746-4903. They can expect to be asked a few questions related to eligibility. Seniors are the priority, but they do make exceptions for people who are unable to get out of the house or can’t cook for themselves, said Shields. For anyone over 60, the “suggested donation” cost is $4, but for anyone under the age of 60, the price is $6.
“We do write grants that help, but we also have to
raise other monies as well,” Shields said.
Some of the clients receive meals daily, but they are allowed to pick and choose which meals they want. If clients don’t want a meal or if they will be gone for the day, they can simply call the senior center to let them know. 
“It helps people to remain independent,” Shields said, because it allows the elderly to stay at home even if they can’t prepare their own meals. Although the program only covers one meal per day, Shields said, there’s usually enough food for two.
The meals vary from day to day – usually consisting of the main dish, a dinner roll, salad, dessert (exceptions for diabetic needs) and the choice of white or chocolate milk. 
Wednesdays are called “Sunday Dinner,” according to Shields, because that’s typically the largest meal of the week. Fridays consist of lighter meals, and even though the program is only on weekdays, frozen meals can be sent for the weekends, if there’s a need. 
But meals aren’t the sole purpose of the program. Meals on Wheels allows the senior center to make regular checkups on people to ensure that they’re OK. Thankfully, there haven’t been many severe cases, but the few times an ambulance was called during a run, it was made before things got worse, Shields said. 
“Our meal program goes farther than just taking a meal,” Shields said. In addition to being able to look after the welfare of the participants, the program allows the seniors to communicate and visit with other people. 
“That’s probably the only person (the deliverer) they have contact with,” Miglia said. 
Although people might like longer visits, Miglia said, she usually can’t stay for too long because other meals have to be delivered. Still, the few minutes a day cheers people up, she said. 
“They just like to see a friendly face,” Miglia said. 
Elsa Hayman, who’s been in the program for about a year, agreed.
“They come, and they’re courteous and they’re cheerful,” Hayman said.
So with 30 years already behind them, the volunteers at Meals on Wheels continue to serve the citizens of Weston County for both physical and emotional needs.