It’s the program with the catchy name.
Meals on Wheels, the nationwide program that began in the United States more than 40 years ago, has seen quite a bit of success in Sedona. But according to organizers, there is still plenty of room to grow.
“We would like to reach more clients,” said Donna Newcomb, the program’s coordinator. “I have a sense that there are a lot of people in the community that we’re not serving who would really benefit from what we offer. Right now, we have about 65 clients but we could easily serve as many as 100 people a day.”
She said the misconception is that Meals on Wheels is a charity or some type of welfare or government-run program. The local organization, which is part of the Sedona Community Center, is funded through donations, grants and annual funding city of Sedona [$165,000 this fiscal year].
Newcomb said another misconception is that there is a mandatory fee to be part of the program. While they do ask for a contribution of up to $6 per meal, it is not required. She said they will never turn someone down based on what they can or can’t afford to pay.
“We need contributions to keep us going but anyone who needs a nutritional meal will be served,” she said. “A lot of people think Meals on Wheels is just for the poor. We do provide meals to those who can’t afford to pay but many are simply those who may be homebound and don’t drive, have been ill or coming home after surgery and have no way of making a nutritional meal for themselves.”
She said that by providing a meal a day, the feel they may be keeping people out of the hospital or even an assisted living center. Their goal is to allow people to live an independent life in their own homes.
Clients of the program receive one meal a day Monday through Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The meal includes milk, a salad, entree and dessert — the same menu that’s served at the community center. When requested, those who receive meals can be part of the program’s Breakfast Club. In addition to the normal food delivered Fridays, they will also receive a bag with cereal, oatmeal, fruit and other items such as frozen waffles or hash browns to help get them through the weekend.
The meals are delivered by 36 volunteer drivers [and 20 substitute drivers], many of whom are retirees looking to lend a helping hand to others. Their routes include Sedona and the Village of Oak Creek.
“They’re fantastic and so dedicated,” she said. “Some have been doing it for as long as 17 years. The drivers look forward to seeing the clients every day and clients definitely look forward to seeing them as well. They bring a good meal and a smile. And for some, the driver is the only other person they see each day.”
When someone new calls in wishing to receive meals, Newcomb goes to their home and meets with them for upward of an hour.
“We want to let them know we care about them,” she said. “They’re not just a number or statistic.”
In addition to finding out about them and their needs, she will ask how much they may be able to afford to contribute. Clients receive a quarterly statement [Newcomb was quick to point out it’s not a bill] listing how many meals they have received. They are asked to contribute what they can.
In addition to Meals on Wheels, the Community Center offers lunch to anyone Monday through Friday at noon for suggested donation of $5 for seniors and $6 for everyone else. For Meals on Wheels recipients, they have started a new program that offers food for client’s pet that’s dropped off once a month. Newcomb said they were hearing stories of how some were sharing their food with their pets because they couldn’t afford to buy food for them.
Finally, something that’s offered to anyone in the community is the Telecare program where those who sign up will receive a daily call from a volunteer to talk, check in to see if they are OK, remind them to take their medication and ensure they are eating right.
“Sometimes it’s just a matter of hearing a friendly voice on the other line,” she said.
For more information on these programs, contact the community center at 282-2834.
