We are fortunate to have numerous service organizations in our community. One such organization, Meals on Wheels, has been lending valuable assistance in the Shawnee area. Meals on Wheels is a service organization that provides the valuable service of serving a hot lunchtime meal once a day for five days a week. Meals on Wheels is a nationwide program which has been providing a nutritious meal to the elderly, shut-ins and others for more than 30 years. In the Shawnee area meals are provided to more than 40 people with drivers traveling a total of more than 200 miles weekly delivering meals. A local director informed me that six more people contacted the program this week inquiring about service. Though many do lend support, more volunteers and drivers are needed to support the city’s Meals on Wheels program.
The first American home-delivered meal program began in Philadelphia, Pa., in January 1954. The original goal of the Philadelphia chapter was to provide nutritious meals to the frail, homebound elderly and persons with disabilities in order to improve health, reduce isolation and prevent inappropriate institutionalization. The Shawnee program and other Meals on Wheels community programs continue this mission, providing meals that are nutritious and healthy. Special meals are adjusted to meet individual dietary needs.
In addition to providing daily hot meals, this program is part of a social medical safety net. The workers and volunteers may be one of the few contacts a shut-in sees each day. These drivers deliver meals, make their daily checks, and spend valuable time with those receiving the meals. Drivers are also trained to contact authorities if the shut-in needs additional assistance.
Meals are paid for almost entirely through private sources, gifts from churches, community groups, businesses, foundations, local governments and through the United Way. If you have any questions concerning Meals on Wheels or if you would like to lend assistance, local contact numbers are: Shawnee Senior Center RSVP, 275-7910 and or Project Heart, 275-4530.
We need to recognize and thank all the food preparers, drivers and others who work in this organization. They provided a valuable service for those least able to provide for themselves.
Editor’s Note: This guest editorial is offered by Steve Beall, a member of the News-Star’s Guest Editorial Board. He is also assistant superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools. The views expressed by our guest editorialists and guest columnists are theirs, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the News-Star’s management.
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We are fortunate to have numerous service organizations in our community. One such organization, Meals on Wheels, has been lending valuable assistance in the Shawnee area. Meals on Wheels is a service organization that provides the valuable service of serving a hot lunchtime meal once a day for five days a week. Meals on Wheels is a nationwide program which has been providing a nutritious meal to the elderly, shut-ins and others for more than 30 years. In the Shawnee area meals are provided to more than 40 people with drivers traveling a total of more than 200 miles weekly delivering meals. A local director informed me that six more people contacted the program this week inquiring about service. Though many do lend support, more volunteers and drivers are needed to support the city’s Meals on Wheels program.
The first American home-delivered meal program began in Philadelphia, Pa., in January 1954. The original goal of the Philadelphia chapter was to provide nutritious meals to the frail, homebound elderly and persons with disabilities in order to improve health, reduce isolation and prevent inappropriate institutionalization. The Shawnee program and other Meals on Wheels community programs continue this mission, providing meals that are nutritious and healthy. Special meals are adjusted to meet individual dietary needs.
In addition to providing daily hot meals, this program is part of a social medical safety net. The workers and volunteers may be one of the few contacts a shut-in sees each day. These drivers deliver meals, make their daily checks, and spend valuable time with those receiving the meals. Drivers are also trained to contact authorities if the shut-in needs additional assistance.
Meals are paid for almost entirely through private sources, gifts from churches, community groups, businesses, foundations, local governments and through the United Way. If you have any questions concerning Meals on Wheels or if you would like to lend assistance, local contact numbers are: Shawnee Senior Center RSVP, 275-7910 and or Project Heart, 275-4530.
We need to recognize and thank all the food preparers, drivers and others who work in this organization. They provided a valuable service for those least able to provide for themselves.
Editor’s Note: This guest editorial is offered by Steve Beall, a member of the News-Star’s Guest Editorial Board. He is also assistant superintendent of Shawnee Public Schools. The views expressed by our guest editorialists and guest columnists are theirs, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the News-Star’s management.
