HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR ‘SERVICES FOR SENIORS’ PROGRAM
March was national Senior Hunger Awareness month, which is sponsored by the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA). As part of this effort to make communities aware of senior hunger, Mayor John Thompson, along with Fire Chief Owen Macafee, Eric Fithyan (Board member), students from Forbes Road GED program who decorated our meal bags and our wonderful MOW volunteers all met at Life Care hospital’s new coffee shop before delivering meals on Wednesday, March 23. We thank our local leaders for stepping up to the plate and joining our mission to end senior hunger and to MOWAA for giving us this opportunity.
Volunteers honored at Special Luncheon
Thanks to our dedicated volunteers, we have delivered 4,025 meals so far this year, and a total of 12,336 meals in 2010. We held a Volunteer Appreciation Lunch on Wednesday, April 27 at Panera Bread in Wilkins Township. Door prizes and certificates were given out along with our THANKS for a job well done. Thanks to Marcia Haley, our Meals on Wheels volunteer coordinator for planning a great day.
The WCM Meals on Wheels (MOW) Program provides a hot meal to more than 60 Wilkinsburg residents who aren’t able to prepare a meal on their own. Every weekday of the year, 30+ volunteers deliver meals – and a warm greeting – to very grateful consumers. And every once in a while, they are called upon to do even more.
Last month a volunteer encountered an “even more” situation. When she rang the doorbell and then knocked on the door, a weak voice said: “come in. “ The voice came from the consumer, who was lying on the floor. She had fallen at 5AM and was unable to summon help. So six plus hours later, help, in the form of our volunteer arrived.
The woman just wanted to be picked up, but the volunteer explained that she couldn’t assist in that way. She might injure either or both of them. Instead, the volunteer called 911, got water for her and made her comfortable. After the EMS arrived, the volunteer contacted Anita McKeithen, Meals on Wheels Manager, who, on learning of the accident, immediately contacted the consumer’s family. They were so appreciative of the assistance that WCM – MOW program had provided.
From throwing salt on icy steps, picking up and handing in newspapers or mail, retrieving a dropped item, or chatting a moment about the latest news, MOW Volunteers daily provide a kind, smiling face, a hot meal, and, on some occasions, even more! If you’d like to volunteer to make a difference in someone’s life, please contact Anita McKeithen at 412-241-8072.
SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS HELP MEET ON-GOING LOCAL NEEDS
WCM’s walk-through program continues to be very busy on Wednesdays and Friday. The food pantry provides bread, sweets and cans of soup to an average of 15 to 20 families each day. The WCM Food Bank will service the East Hills, Swissvale and Homewood with approval of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. They can be reached at 412-460-3663.
See the latest Angel Food monthly menu.
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