While the meals are still coming, many more wheels are needed.
Locals are encouraged to volunteer and assist the YWCA Bradford’s “Meals on Wheels” program — a program that coordinates volunteers in order to serve homebound older adults in the Bradford area that are unable to shop and/or cook for themselves.
“I do go grocery shopping, but I have lower back problems, making it difficult to stand at the stove and cook,” explained Janelle Dexter, a recipient of the Meals on Wheels program. “That’s why this program is great, and these organizers and drivers have been absolutely wonderful. They have given us good service, and they’re friendly people, and I hope they can get the resources to continue to provide the assistance that people in the area need.”
Dexter is one of several dozen recipients who receive meals provided by the Meals on Wheels program; a program of which has been ongoing and has satisfied the needs of many during its implementation.
YWCA Bradford Executive Director Vanessa Castano said the “Y” and its programs like Meals on Wheels are supported by the United Way and receive no state or federal funding.
However, Castano explained the YWCA recently received a small grant from Subaru, which, paired with donations, has allowed for the reimbursement of volunteer drivers for fuel costs for as long as the funding lasts.
But services are “on a sliding scale,” Castano said, as the search for a steady set of volunteers continues with less-than-desireable success.
“There are eight drivers and normally three routes per day,” Castano explained, “but with the lack of volunteer drivers, we have had to condense that to two routes per day.”
Meals on Wheels serves approximately 30 people on weekdays and 20 weekend meals.
Each route has around 15 recipients, and takes about two hours to complete, depending on the length of time spent interacting with each recipient. On Fridays and the day before a holiday, meals are delivered for the days that Meals on Wheels volunteers are not available.
Drivers typically arrive to pick up their route around 1 p.m., although Meals on Wheels program coordinator Jessica Jarrett-McKeirnan said that she is “willing to work around volunteers’ schedules.”
Jarrett-McKeirnan, who runs many facets of the program, including ordering food, making the menu, coordinating drivers’ schedules and supervising kitchen staff, also pitches in and delivers meals, as needed.
Unfortunately, just a handful of volunteers are currently enrolled in the program and more are certainly needed, according to Jarrett-McKeirnan.
“I would love to see this program grow,” she said. “We are always looking for volunteer drivers and new participants in making this program happen.”
Because, as Jarrett-McKeirnan continued, Meals on Wheels is more than just a hot meal for people who need it. It is a friendly face and some conversation for those who may not be as socially involved in the community.
“Another important aspect of this program, aside from providing food, is that it reassures family members that their loved ones are being checked on daily,” Jarrett-McKeirnan added. “That, combined with the increased interaction, really builds and maintains a shared sense of community.”
That is a sentiment shared by Marissa Roth, a senior student leader at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, president of the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program.
“Meals on Wheels is not only about providing meals to those in need, but the program establishes a sense of unity to all involved,” Roth said. “It shows the recipients that they are supported, and it allows the volunteers to enhance Bradford’s sense of community. Something as simple as delivering a meal lets someone know, ‘Hey, we’re here for you, and we care.’”
Alpha Phi Omega is an active participant with the Meals on Wheels program. Members of the fraternity help with the delivery of the meals to the homes of those in need, coordinating with organizers of the YWCA on times that satisfy the majority’s availability.
“Not only as the president of the fraternity, but as a student, I see that sometimes our campus becomes a community solely on its own, detached from that which lies beyond Campus Drive,” Roth said. “As a result, I encourage more students, faculty and staff to get off campus and take a hand in the events of the community of Bradford. Alpha Phi Omega has always welcomed volunteers with programs such as Meals on Wheels, leaving it open for non-fraternity members to join in the efforts, as well. As president, I am a strong advocate for community service, and Meals on Wheels is a great opportunity to achieve that — to get involved in making a difference and, ultimately, in giving back.”
For more information on volunteering for Meals on Wheels, contact Jarrett-McKeirnan at 368-4235, Ext. 115.
