Meals On Wheels of Gainesville-Hall County is promoting their “March Of Meals” campaign – and celebrating 50 years of operations in Hall County. This program came to Hall County in 1972 and initially served 16 senior citizens. Now, Meals On Wheels of Gainesville-Hall County serves 425 clients.
This year, Meals On Wheels of Gainesville-Hall County is expanding their involvement with March Of Meals campaign. Stephenie Hood, Gainesville-Hall County's Meals On Wheels supervisor, says March Of Meal’s main goal is to raise community awareness for the program.
“I wanted to make sure that people understand it's not just a meal, it is a community,” Hood said. “Our clientele are the communities’ foundation. They helped create what we are allowed to live in and it is a blessing. Our clients may not have the benefit of having interaction with their family as often as we do because of different situations. But with our program, we're able to be an additional part of that family. We're able to bring some conversation and visit, we can help them bring in the mail on occasion and stuff of that nature. It's bringing comfort and reassurance to the [clients’] family to let them know, ‘Yes, at least someone is checking on mom once a day, at least [someone] is going in there and helping them provide a nutritional meal.”
Government officials are volunteering for deliveries during March Of Meals, too. With Hood’s weekly “Suit And Tie Tuesday,” individuals in government offices dress up to personally give seniors their meals.
Gainesville City Manager Bryan Lackey is one particular official who has been volunteering his time. Lackey delivered a meal with Freddie Stephens, who has volunteered with Meals On Wheels for eight years.
“I was able to get to go yesterday and do a route with Freddie,” Lackey said. “It’s a heartfelt, enlightening time to be able to go out and see the folks in our community who really depend on it. Not only from the meals, but from just the person checking on them. Freddie was telling me that a lot of folks will meet him at the front door. They know about what time you're going to be there.”
However, Meals On Wheels is in great need of more volunteers. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, around 260 volunteers delivered meals to seniors. That number has dropped, which forced Meals On Wheels to reduce their delivery hours from Monday through Friday to Monday through Thursday.
Their goal is to attain at least 60 more regular volunteers by July. Currently, 200 people volunteer with Meals On Wheels.
“Now when you hear that number [of volunteers], it does seem like a lot,” Hood said. “But keep in mind that we are operating on a weekly basis. Our volunteers are doing it on their lunch breaks. Some volunteers are retired and have their own limitations and other obligations that they commit. So the number may sound like a good solid number, but you have to factor in different situations and circumstances for each volunteer.”
When Lackey volunteered, he described the delivery pick-up process at the Gainesville Community Center as smooth and simple. He suggests grabbing a few friends and serving in groups of four or five.
“It only takes a few minutes, our staff has everything packaged in a cooler for you,” Lackey said. You pull up at the Community Service Center and they help you load your car. And then it’s away you go, it usually takes less than an hour.”
Local highschoolers have also helped shuttle meals to seniors. Hood established “One Love Wednesday,” where students from East Hall High, Chestatee High and Gainesville High Schools will ride with adult volunteers every Wednesday and help deliver food.
“I think it's important for our youth to see who Meals on Wheels is serving,” Hood said. “[It’s] not just a certain group of people who you're not aware of, it's actually people within your community. It's a way to give back and love on our community. And seniors love seeing kids involved. They love seeing the youth, it brightens their day.”
http://accesswdun.com/article/2022/3/1082868/meals-on-wheels-begin-their-march-of-wheels-campaign