MOW targets senior hunger, a monumental problem in America
One may be homeless, and not have anywhere to work, but one will not be hungry, if Meals On Wheels has anything to do with it.
Meals On Wheels in Monroe County plans, supplies, and delivers nutritious and appealing meals, with the help of volunteers, to the homebound who are physically or mentally unable to shop for and/or prepare meals for themselves.
In 1972 the first meals in Monroe County were delivered to 11 clients in the Stroudsburg area. In the intervening years, the organization has grown so that today volunteers deliver meals to approximately 160 clients throughout the entire area of county. These volunteers not only deliver the meals, they encourage clients to eat the hot meal and refrigerate the cold meal. Also, by visiting, the volunteer can hear concerns of the clients. Visitors provide a security check and some friendly conversation to brighten a client's day.
Dottie Durchsprunch volunteers for Meals On Wheels five days a week, using her own gas and delivering for about 75 miles worth of trips. She says she feels that it is really a good way to help people and this is a great experience. She recalls one very energetic man who one day found out he had cancer. Every week when she came to visit, he became more and more lifeless. He had no motivation, suddenly stopped eating, and eventually died.
Durchsprunch says, “The hardest part about being a devoted volunteer is that you become a part of the clients’ lives. They look forward to seeing you, and in many cases, you are all that they have.”
To Durchsprunch’s dismay, since she has been part of Meals On Wheels she has known of eight individuals who passed away. Yet even with the possibility of losing a client, Durchsprunch says that she would not have it any other way. She enjoys the way she feels after giving the clients their meals and the reaction on their faces.
“I wouldn’t take that back,” she says. “It’s rejuvenating … when you look into their eyes, you see hope.”
Edith, a client in Marshalls Creek, says, “If it wasn’t for Meals On Wheels I would have gone to a nursing home. I can’t cook, but five days a week these nice volunteers come to me.”
She adds, “I have to use my walker around the house and all my children live far, so the volunteers are all I have.”
When Edith was asked what her favorite meal from Meals On Wheels currently is, she said that she enjoys the mashed potatoes and corn the most. She says, “I find myself remembering the flavor of the food the day after, especially the mashed potatoes,” she says, laughing.
Meals On Wheels generally has a basic menu. All foods are nutritious, including milk for strong bones. The meals are varied and range from chicken, rice and peas, to lasagna, or potatoes.
This organization hopes that people will think of Edith and others like her and devote an hour or two to volunteer at Meals On Wheels. The reward of volunteering is the satisfaction of the clients.
The Meals On Wheels office can be reached any weekday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.. The office is located at 9 North Ninth St., Stroudsburg, and their phone number is 570-424-8794. Changing lives every day is the task of Meals On Wheels, and the task can get accomplished with more volunteers.
Patrice Dume was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. and currently goes to East Stroudsburg University. Patrice is majoring in political science with a minor in communication studies. She is currently a senior and plans to attend Law School in the future. She is an active member of the Economics Club and is a Group Fitness Instructor at the recreation center of the university. When she is not working out she is studying at the library or getting involved with campus activities. She listens to all types of music and is very welcoming to everyone. She is certainly one of a kind.
