“March for Meals” campaign highlights Meals on Wheels

The launch of the “March for Meals” campaign took place Monday morning at Amherstburg Community Services. Top photo (from left): Melissa Lokun from Seasons Amherstburg, Tammy Dufour from Seasons Royal Oak Village in LaSalle, ACS program co-ordinator Branka Stewin, ACS executive director Kathy DiBartolomeo, Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb, Councillor Linden Crain. 

The “March for Meals” campaign is underway to highlight a valuable program to help seniors and those needing a healthy meal.

The campaign is designed to assist in promoting the Meals on Wheels service that is offered through Amherstburg Community Services (ACS). That service served over 17,700 meals to seniors and those in need, such as people recovering from surgery, in Amherstburg, LaSalle, McGregor and Harrow.

“We’re trying to bring awareness to Meals on Wheels,” explained Kathy DiBartolomeo, executive director of ACS. “We’re trying to get the word out there that it is available.”

Businesses and seniors residences are stepping up with donations being made by Mealtime Express in Amherstburg and Joe Schmoes in LaSalle. Seasons Amherstburg and Seasons Royal Oak Village in LaSalle are also donating soup and desserts this week to the “March for Meals” campaign.

There are roughly 100 people signed up for Meals on Wheels at the current time, said ACS program co-ordinator Branka Stewin. That number fluctuates as new seniors are signing up while others are leaving the program, either because they are moving into a retirement home or long-term care facility or because they pass away.

Stewin said that between Meals on Wheels, the congregate dining program offered at ACS, the security reassurance program and bingos, there are 120 volunteers. They always need more, as many volunteers are snowbirds who travel in the winter or they leave due to other circumstances.

“The majority of the volunteers are seniors themselves,” said DiBartolomeo.

Sometimes staff from ACS have to go out and deliver the meals, the executive director added.

“The volunteers really bond with the clients,” said DiBartolomeo. “They really get attached.”

Even though gas prices are rising, Stewin added that hasn’t made a difference in delivering the service.

“We haven’t had one complaint from the volunteers,” she said.

Stewin added many of the volunteers who have someone drop off their route will often ask what happened to them and wonder how they are doing.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb and Councillor Linden Crain were on hand to lend their support. Gibb noted his mother used Meals on Wheels while Crain also pointed out his fiancée’s parents use the service.

Councillor Linden Crain and Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb serve soup in ACS’s Meals on Wheels kitchen.

DiBartolomeo stated that people get a complete meal, including soup, bread, a main course, and dessert for $8. Meals on Wheels also acts as social interaction for those receiving the meals, with DiBartolomeo adding they often hear from clients that the only time they see people is when their meals are delivered.

Those receiving Meals on Wheels can get them every weekday, with the meals prepared in the commercial kitchen in ACS’ location within the Amherstburg Community Hub at 320 Richmond St. People can also get them a few times per week or on a short-term schedule, in cases where they are recovering from an illness or surgery.

“We really try to work with them,” said DiBartolomeo. “There is no contract.”

ACS often gets calls from seniors wondering if they are old enough or whether the program has room to accommodate them. DiBartolomeo said they are happy to add them. She added if a person isn’t going to be home when the driver is scheduled to arrive, a frozen meal can be left in a cooler left outside.

For more information about Meals on Wheels or to register, call ACS at 519-736-5471. People can also visit their website at www.amherstburg-cs.com for additional details on ACS and its programming.

“March for Meals” campaign highlights Meals on Wheels

By Ron Giofu