The Meals-on-Wheels program is rewarding for both volunteers and clients alike in Logan County, area residents related during a recent delivery route in Bellefontaine.
Volunteers picked up their meals from provider LifeCare Alliance at Union Station, 613 Hamilton St., and then were on their way to offer a warm meal and a friendly conversation with elderly and homebound individuals in the community.
West Liberty area resident Diane Robson said she was a volunteer with the program before moving to Logan County about three years ago.
“When I lived in Charleston, I did Meals-on-Wheels there. I felt that it was just the right thing to do.”
Larry Lewis, another Meals on Wheels driver said, “I’m 83 and I was tired of sitting around doing nothing all day.”
City resident Betty Hunt is on Robson’s route, and she greets her Meals-on-Wheels driver with a smile every time she sees her.
“I am always so thankful for all of the volunteers who help us out,” said Hunt, who also was recently featured in the Examiner as the 2021 Logan County Senior Citizen of the Year, as awarded by the Area Agency on Aging.
After the deliverers give the customers their food, they talk for a bit. They always say good-bye with a hug, and then they are off to their next delivery.
“We are so grateful for all of our volunteers, but we can always use more volunteers. I would really love to see more young people get involved with Meals on Wheels,” Robson said.
LifeCare Alliance has been delivering meals to the homebound residents of Logan and Champaign counties since July 1, 2014.
Currently, the organization has a great need for volunteers in Logan County, said Stephanie Sparrow Hughes, LifeCare Alliance corporate and community engagement.
“Due to the pandemic, we have increased our client base of senior citizens relying on receiving Meals-on-Wheels, but lack volunteers to get those meals delivered.
“We are in need of companies, groups such as churches and individuals to deliver meals at lunch time to housebound senior citizens. Each delivery takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.
“LifeCare Alliance is flexible with the time commitment for volunteers to select the option to adopt a route to deliver meals weekly or select another volunteer frequency that works best.”
Sparrow Hughes explained that new volunteers receive a 30-minute training to learn how to deliver Meals-on-Wheels. The training can be provided in-person, virtually by Zoom or through a video that can be viewed as well.
“Our team member is available to attend community events and meetings to speak with groups and companies about how to get involved with volunteering to deliver Meals-on-Wheels and to answer any questions about our programs,” she said.
“We love working with Logan County volunteers that truly care about their neighbors and want to give back to make a difference.”
In addition to the Union Station pick up location in Logan County, Indian Lake Villas Apartments, 601 Lincoln Blvd., Russells Point, also serves as a location where volunteer drivers can pick up their meals bags for clients.
The meal bags are available at 10:55 a.m. at the Indian Lake location each weekday, and at 10 a.m. at Union Station.
To learn more and to get started with volunteering, contact the volunteer team at [email protected] or call (614) 444-6325.
In addition, if you know a person who needs a meal, contact LifeCare Alliance at (614) 278-3130.
For more information, visit www.lifecarealliance.org.