Community
Pam Mason , MOWs site coordinator , checks out some of the Valentine ’ s Day “ goodies ” that were to be distributed to clients on Feb . 14 .
Some of the contents of Meals on Wheels food packages lined up to be packed ; on special days , such as Valentine ’ s Day , clients may also receive gifts of sweet favors and cakes .
Church in Pleasant Hills . From there , Mason prepares all three meals using the oven , stove and six crockpots . And , she adheres to the diet restrictions of her clients : “ After a client signs up for our service I call him or her to go over any food restrictions . Of the 55 current clients we cook for , 16 follow a diabetic diet . Everyone else eats a regular meal plan , which is prepared using a low-sodium diet . The food is then packaged and delivered before midday .”
If there is one thing Mason has leaned over the years working for this program , it ’ s how to stretch a dollar and work within her community .
“ Our program survives solely on donations from businesses , charitable organizations and residents in our area ,” she explains . “ In 2016 , we delivered close to 35,400 meals and we ’ d like to continue that level of service this year and beyond . We utilize the Pittsburgh Food Bank for a lot of our canned goods and shelf-ready milk , and local grocery stores for some day-old bread or pastries . Trader Joe ’ s in
Mt . Lebanon and Trax Farms are wonderful about donating fruits and vegetables , which allows me to offer a fresh salad every day to our clients . But we need donations — anything from canned and dry goods to monetary gifts — in order to keep our program alive and thriving . It ’ s important for people to know their donations are tax deductible and no gift is too small .”
At the heart of the Pleasant Hills / South Park area MOWs are the clients . People who have done their part to serve their community , and sometimes their country , and need a helping hand in their later years are those who
Mason , the volunteers and the program feel blessed to serve .
“ It ’ s absolutely the best part of what we do ,” says Mason . “ The clients need our help , not just food . They need social interaction and to be looked after and that ’ s what we offer . We don ’ t just give them a meal ; we give them comfort and support . And all they want is to be remembered . So we do that , too . We celebrate every holiday with a special treat , whether it ’ s a Valentine ’ s Day placemat or an American flag on the outside of their food delivery box that thanks our veterans / clients for their service . It makes all of us happy .”
To donate to the Pleasant Hills / South Park area MOWs , visit southparkmealsonwheels . com or find it on Facebook . n
Numerous volunteers deliver both hot and cold meals to clients each day . Driver / deliverer team Joe and Linda Pelan get ready for their daily run . Joe also volunteers once a week to bring edibles into MOWs from area food banks . Volunteers are always needed to prepare and deliver meals .
I ’ ve ever done .”
West Jefferson Hills | Spring 2017 | icmags . com 21