Jack’s Journal: Meals on Wheels

Every weekday, volunteers spread out delivering meals to homebound senior citizens.  It’s about good nutrition, eating right and being healthy.  But in reality, it’s more than the food.  It’s about bringing some human contact to someone whose day may be filled with lots of quiet hours.

“One of the most significant things homebound seniors face is isolation and loneliness.  Sometimes this is the only person they see for days at a time,” says Lisa Robitshek, NWMCAA.

So yes, the food is fresh and nutritious, but that knock on the door, that smile and hello, the hug, really means so much. For the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency, 155 volunteers deliver about a thousand meals a day over Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Manistee, Wexford and Missaukee counties.  One of those volunteers is Trine. Her volunteer days are Wednesdays.  She was looking for someplace to volunteer and she found Meals on Wheels, and she is hooked.

“I feel like I’m a friend, a personal friend.  Sometime I take too much time and they call and wonder where I am!” says Trine Bennett.

Trine on some occasions has taken her daughter with her to add to the visit or help celebrate someone’s special day.  When she arrives, she makes sure everyone is doing well, no issues they need help with, make sure the food is secure and then get to visiting. Every day is different!

“Recite poetry, sing songs, tell me about important events in everyone’s life, birthdays and births in the family,” explains Trine.

Not every stop is a gabfest, but if it is, that’s OK.  These meal delivery volunteers seem to use the food as a reason to visit!  And the visits are significant in many ways.

“We’ve found people on the floor many times.  We’ve called 911 many times.  We’ve found people, thank goodness, before it’s too late,” says Lisa.

Volunteers are always needed, if you’d like to give it a try!