August 6, 2009
Earlier this summer, when the Jefferson County Office of Senior
Citizens Services took a financial hit, the forecast for senior programs
in the county appeared pretty grim. The Office of Senior Citizens
Services' biggest contract is with Meals on Wheels, and after
checking in with them today, I can tell you they're hanging in there.
Marguerite
Warren
is 99 years old. For the past ten years, a volunteer has
brought her her main meal of the day. She saves it in her fridge for
dinner.
"Oh yes, it has been a lifesaver to me because as I said, I was
not the one who liked to cook in my house," says Mrs. Warren
with a chuckle.
Mrs. Warren is one of 1,000 seniors citizens in
Jefferson
County
to be served by Meals on Wheels, a program which provides her a social
outlet and a safety check.
"We have built a strong relationship between several of my
volunteers," says Mrs. Warren.
Marlyss Giles is one of 600 Meals on Wheels volunteers in the county. She
met Mrs. Warren five years ago when she began serving meals to seniors.
Coordinators say in this economic slump, the volunteers and donations are
helping them survive.
"We couldn't serve the people we do without them,"
says Tom Drake, Director of Meals on Wheels in
Jefferson
County
.
Drake says 75 percent of funding for Meals on Wheels comes from donations.
Volunteer Coordinator Alma Moore is thankful for the survival of the
program.
"We are still up and running, and thank goodness for that because
there are a lot of senior citizens who would suffer without this program.
They don't have an option of getting a second job or finding income in
other places. These types programs are what keep people in their homes as
long as possible," says
Moore
.
"The meal they get from Meals on Wheels is often the only meal they
receive," adds Drake.
Making the delivery of that meal more important than ever.
"I'm very thankful!" exclaims Mrs. Warren.
Giles says as a volunteer, she gets more than she gives.
"If
I can give my time to help someone else, then that's what I want to
do."
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