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OUR
MEALS-ON-WHEELS PROGRAM |
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| The
South Coast Senior Center was founded in 1983, and has been serving Meals
on Wheels since the mid 1990’s. This year, through a grant from
the Federal Government, the Redwood Coast Medical Services, Living Well
program has joined hands with the South Coast Seniors to continue to provide
Meals on Wheels and expand the program to even more coastal residents
in need. We currently deliver about 115 meals per week from Manchester
through The Sea Ranch. Additionally, we serve hot, nutritious lunches
to many more at the Druids Hall in Point Arena and the Community Center
in Gualala. These nutritious, well balanced meals have become a mainstay
for many seniors in our area.
Over the last several decades, a substantial growth in the elderly population has increased the demand for meal services- a trend that will continue well into the mid twenty-first century. During the twentieth century the number of people over 65 increased by a factor of eleven, compared to a factor of three for the rest of the population. According to the Census Bureau projection, the elderly population in the United States will more than double between now and the year 2050, to 80 million people. Meals on Wheels and other senior meal programs provide meals to millions of seniors around the United States. Through such programs, seniors who could not or would not otherwise eat properly are provided with services that help them live a healthy and enjoyable life. Meals on Wheels supports independent living and quality of life for individuals who wish to remain in their own homes by providing nutritious meals to those who are homebound due to age or disability. But meals on Wheels are more than just a meal. Perhaps as important as receiving a meal is the smiling face and words of kindness and friendship of the volunteer who is delivering the meal. Many seniors are lonely, and those that assist in meal programs are their only daily contact with other people. Delivery volunteers take a little time with each senior to visit and provide much needed conversation. With the Meals on Wheels program, people who are homebound and unable to shop for their food or prepare their own meals, on a permanent or temporary basis, are eligible to receive our home delivered meal service regardless of age or economic status. A hot lunch/dinner is delivered by caring Meals on Wheels volunteers each Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. In addition, Meals on Wheels provides frozen meals, for those who need them, for the remaining days of the week. You don’t have to be a
good cook or have a lot of time in order to volunteer. Whether you have
only a few hours one day per week, or can volunteer everyday, your assistance
is needed. Also, volunteers do more than drive from door to door. Volunteers
are needed to help prepare and package dinners to be delivered, and
deliver meals. ## |
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