To promote awareness of the Senior Resource Association Meals on Wheels program, one of 5,000 programs nationwide, the SRA invited well-known residents to participate in its 14th annual March for Meals campaign last week. The month-long March for Meals movement is sponsored by the Meals on Wheels Association of America.
Local notables – including Vero’s indefatigable Alma Lee Loy, New England Patriot Bryan Stork, Rep. Bill Posey’s director of marketing David Jackson, and a host of other philanthropists, religious and business leaders, and city and county officials – rode along with MOW volunteers to deliver food to homebound seniors all across Indian River County as participants in Community Champions Week.
After gathering at the Senior Resource Association facility in Vero Beach, where they were instructed on the program’s procedures, the champions were paired with a seasoned volunteer before heading out to deliver the hot, nutritious meals to MOW clients.
Vero Beach Mayor Jay Kramer and wife Alla joined philanthropists George Fetterolf and Trudie Rainone and rode along with volunteer Denise Hegener. Their first stop was with Ann Ellis, who welcomed the group and shared her appreciation for the food she receives daily while her daughter is at work. Ellis lost her husband four years ago, and a series of strokes has left her with tunnel vision and a weakness that has limited what she can do.
“Without Meals on Wheels I would be eating cereal and sandwiches every day,” said Ellis. “I like the friendly people that bring it. The meals are good, they are always on time and I have thoroughly enjoyed the people who come. I would be lost without them.”
Rainone and Fetterolf had both delivered meals through MOW programs elsewhere and said they found it to be a tremendously fulfilling form of volunteerism.
“Even if they have family, this program gives relief to their families to know that someone is visiting on a regular basis to keep an eye on their beloved family member,” said Fetterolf. “Plus, this gives them a really nutritious, rounded meal every day.”
“And by us coming in, statistics show that this keeps them in their home rather than in a nursing home,” added Rainone. “It’s also a very lonely life if you do not have family. This gives them something to look forward to every day.”
“As we age there are two factors which help with our quality of life – nourishment and socialization,” said Karen Deigl, SRA CEO/president. “People may have the money but may not have the ability to go out and get the food or prepare it.”
Close relationships are often formed, such as the one with MOW recipient Florence Redstone, who recently celebrated her 104th birthday. The Redstone family arranged with Deigl to deliver balloons and a birthday cake along with her regular meal. Florence’s son Phil Redstone is chief of police at Orchid Island, and grandson Matt Redstone is an IRC sheriff’s deputy, so Deigl invited Sheriff Deryl Loar and Public Affairs Sergeant Eric Flowers to join the family in singing a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” before everyone indulged in a piece of cake.
“Mrs. Redstone, you have had meals with us since 1999,” said Deigl to a smiling Redstone. “We also have your meal, but you can have cake today and have your meal later since it’s your birthday!”
“All these years; such good food,” replied Redstone as she cut into the cake. “I think that is one of the things that has kept me going.”
The program delivers roughly 58,630 hot meals per year in Indian River County, each prepared by registered dietitians at the IRC School District based on daily nutrient requirements. They also provide Emergency Meals on Wheels to seniors within 30 days of being discharged from healthcare facilities. Having learned that seniors often feed part of their dinner to their animals, Pets on Wheels – sponsored by the Humane Society of Vero Beach and Indian River County – is offered at no cost to eligible MOW recipients.
Meals on Wheels visits serve as a wellness check, with volunteers all trained to watch out for signs that clients need further help and to report anything back to the case managers. The Senior Resource Association is always looking for additional volunteers – the program’s life’s blood. In addition to individuals getting involved, the SRA encourages businesses to “Adopt a Route” and allow their employees to help out.