CAPITAL REGION CARES
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Meals on Wheels
Perseverance through the pandemic
Meals on Wheels by ACC ( MoW ) has adapted its
services for the health and safety of participants as well as staff and volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic . During the past year of great challenges , MoW is still successfully providing meals to thousands of vulnerable seniors .
Under normal circumstances , MoW serves lunch five days a week , free of charge , to approximately 625 participants ages 60 and over at its 20 Congregate Nutrition sites throughout Sacramento County . With all the lunch sites closed during the pandemic , MoW currently delivers meals to all participants ’ homes .
Due to the profound increase of food insecurity since the start of the pandemic , the organization is now serving 1,330 Congregate Nutrition participants , more than twice as many as the pre-pandemic number . Furthermore , more than 1,300 frail and homebound seniors receive a meal from MoW five days a week .
The meal delivery program ’ s new safety measures include placing meals at participants ’ doorsteps , and MoW volunteers checking with participants by phone to ensure they are safe and well .
[ PICTURED ]: KEVIN MCALLISTER , EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | MEALS ON WHEELS
“ For the vulnerable community members we serve , the meals and social connection we provide them are all that is keeping them from hunger and isolation ,” says Kevin McAllister , executive director .
“ With all our meals currently delivered to homes ,” says McAllister , “ we make sure staff have personal protective equipment , practice social distancing and sanitize between deliveries . The safety of participants , staff and volunteers is a primary concern , so our drivers take a no-contact delivery approach : Knock , leave the meals near the door , then step back 6-10 feet as they wait for seniors to collect their meals . Before leaving the home , staff and volunteers check in with participants to make sure they ’ re OK .”
MoW thanks ACC Senior Services , Paratransit Inc ., and their dedicated volunteers for delivering meals and maintaining social contact with seniors by phone during these challenging days . For general questions about MoW , or to find out how to apply for the Home-Delivered Meal Program or Congregate Nutrition Program , please call ( 916 ) 444-9533 or visit www . mowsac . org .
94 comstocksmag . com | March 2021
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