Meals on Wheels celebrates their volunteers
More than food, it's neighbors helping neighbors
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The Webster City Meals on Wheels volunteers celebrated last Wednesday at Fosters Funeral and Cremation Center. 26 volunteers and board members sat down and enjoyed a brunch prepared by board members.
Not only was it time to commend the individuals who have volunteered to drive meals to individuals five days a week, it was a time to share updates on this 55 year old program. Not only were the volunteers given thorough updates in addition to thanks, but the new board of directors received an informative and thorough training after the brunch.
The Meals on Wheels program, which began in 1971, has experienced the same challenges as most homeowners, a steady increase in the cost to prepare meals. The average meal, delivered to a home costs $10.75 today, which is nearly a 50% increase in the last three years. But the cost of the meals is not passed completely on to those receiving them, with the Hamilton County Public Health offices signing up clients where the cost per meal is based on the ability to pay. It's confidential, and it's a service that keeps Webster City residents who need food, in their homes and healthy.
Currency there are 40 volunteer Meals on Wheels drivers, some drive regularly, some are substitutes. It's a program that is hoped to be replicated in a different way in the southern part of Hamilton County, with informational meetings taking place this week in Stanhope, Jewell and Stratford.
The Webster City program has survived due to efforts by board members to drum up donations from individuals, groups and service organizations. Jeanne Hill, Vice President of Meals on Wheels, has written eleven grants over the past three years to help cover the gaps in what is needed to serve their clients.
They start the process at the Hamilton County Public Health, said Hill. "Just call them up, and they have a questionnaire," she said. "The way they present it to the customer is that the cost of the meal is $10.75; what do you think you can afford?"
"No one has said free," continued Hill. She said everyone gets billed for what they have agreed to pay. If they are in arrears, they are notified.
"It's what we do, we are feeding people," she said.
She continued by explaining that there are some people who pay the full amount for each meal, others decide to only get the meals Monday, Wednesday and Friday. A conscious effort to maintain a budget is what drives this program, both for the individuals served and the board.
To apply for the program, it starts with the public health office, and after information is gathered, they notify the provider. Currently Donna Ryder of Grama's Diner provides the meals for delivery, and public health provides the necessary details on dietary restrictions, address, and other conditions to consider.
One of the board members, Julie Tharp, manages that portion of the process, detailing dietary restrictions or preferences on a card for each person who receives the meals.
"Every client gets a menu the week prior, so they kind of know," said Hill. If they don't like the menu, they can call up tell them not to deliver a meal.
"We aren’t the government so we are just totally service oriented," she said, "There is no red tape."
The meals are available to individuals who need assistance, not just seniors. For example, she said, "If you are 40 years old and have a hip replacement, and now home bound, you can get Meals on Wheels." This would be a temporary program, but something that they are willing to do.
Hill emphasized that they are not asking participants what their income is, to make a determination.
"I'm not going out screening clients," she said "That is not our goal, we are strictly people who want to feed people, especially with the food insecurity today."
The Webster City Meals on Wheels program has remained an independent, community supported program, with no connection to local, state, federal or tax-funded agencies.
The national Meals on Wheels program was founded as a solution to what the organizers saw as three big threats to seniors – inadequate nutrition, isolation and safety. The volunteer drivers deliver more than a hot meal, they also provide a safety check, friendly face and conversation that allows people to remain in their own homes.
Locally 22 clients are served by the Webster City volunteers. Financial shortfalls have been covered by private donations, grants and memorials. Most recently, grants to cover the program costs have been received from the William Morris Trust, the Teresa Treat Stearns Trust, and Enhance Hamilton County Foundation.
There have been thousands of individuals who have helped keep this program going for the past 55 years. Volunteers are always welcome to help as the need continues with rising food costs and aging population.
Those who currently volunteer to deliver meals and help provide this service include: Theo and Teri Boman, Shelley and Marty Christian, Joylyn Cobb, Mindy Dahlhauser, Carolyn Day, Cheryl Eichler, The Fosters Funeral & Cremation family, Jean Fox, Joan and Al Haberman, Judy Hartnett, Darren Heater, Tami Hejlik, Richard Hibbing, Jeanne Hill, Stephanie Hill, Dave Hilton, AnNyce Hoff, Kathy and Bob Josten, Linda Kidney, Barb Law, Dave and Donna Lundquist, Cheryl McCleary, Lorraine and Curt McCoskey, Tom, Judy and Ann McLaughlin, Korrine Nelson, Kristi Nelson, Gayle Olson, Jean Statz, Diane and Rich Stribe, Julie Tharp, Kathy Theobald, Kelly Ubben, Mavis Vogelbacher and Glenda Wehrhan.
The Webster City Meals on Wheels board members are Ann McLaughlin, President; Jeanne Hill, Vice President; Kathy Josten, Treasurer; Julie Tharp, Secretary, Becky Koppen, Gayle Olson, Darren Heater, Barb Law, Pam Harklau, Tom & Judy McLaughlin, Amy Keller and Joan Van Deer.
Funds to insure neighbors have a healthy diet are always welcome to cover this service of compassion and love. To make contributions to the Meals on Wheels program, checks can be mailed to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 45, Webster City, Iowa 50595.