TOPEKA, Kan. (KPR) – Meals on Wheels of Eastern Kansas is seeking more volunteers to help deliver meals in Douglas, Shawnee and Jefferson counties. Meals of Wheels began delivering meals to seniors in Douglas County a year ago. On October 1 this year, Meals on Wheels opened four congregate meal sites in the county and is now seeking new volunteers to help deliver meals. “Volunteers are the heart of our organization," said Heidi Pickerell, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels of Eastern Kansas. "Right now, we have a large need for volunteers in Douglas County.” More than 1,000 meals and safety checks are provided daily to seniors and homebound members in Douglas, Shawnee and Jefferson counties with the help of volunteers. Pickerell says delivering for Meals on Wheels is quite flexible. Volunteers can choose to deliver once a month or on a weekly basis. And, she said, most routes take less than an hour to deliver.
The newly-established congregate meal sites allow for seniors to gather for their meal and social activity. The new sites are located at:
- Midland Care PACE Site, 319 Perry Street, Lawrence
- Babcock Place, 1700 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence
- Eudora Recreation Center, 1630 Elm Street, Eudora
- Baldwin Healthcare & Rehab Center, 1223 Orchard Ln, Baldwin City
The nation’s senior population is growing exponentially. A recent fact sheet provided by Meals on Wheels of America shows that 6.9 million seniors live in poverty with an income of $228 a week or less to cover all of their expenses including housing, utilities and medical bills, leaving little for food.
Anyone interested in volunteering to deliver meals in Douglas County should contact Meals on Wheels of Eastern Kansas at (785) 430-2186.
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