The holiday season brings us warm thoughts and fond memories of families spending hours together hiding out from the cold, huddled around the kitchen table as delicious treats are passed from plate to plate.
Unfortunately for many seniors, the holidays are a painful reminder of the family and friends that once surrounded them. They are confronted with losses and the knowledge that they could be spending the holidays alone. Isolation and unhappiness face even the healthiest seniors, not to mention those who are homebound due to worsening health conditions.
This year, a smiling face and a handwritten greeting card will accompany each meal delivered to seniors receiving Meals on Wheels. After learning about the 700+ seniors in Jefferson County who receive meals daily through Meals on Wheels, guidance counselor Rachael Osburn challenged her students at Cahaba Elementary to spread cheer to the seniors with holiday greeting cards.
“When I played a video for students of volunteers delivering meals, they were shocked,” Osburn shared. “They found out that the meal delivery is the only daily contact with the outside world that some seniors have. It was amazing how excited they were to send kind thoughts to the seniors to brighten their days.”
Recently, the City of Trussville generously donated $5,000 to United Way’s Meals on Wheels to ensure the program continues to provide home delivered meals to seniors. At the November 14th City Council Meeting, Cahaba Elementary students participated in thanking Mayor Buddy Choat and council members for supporting Meals on Wheels and invited them to sign some of the greeting cards they created. The cards will be delivered to homebound seniors during Thanksgiving week.
In 2016, Trussville residents received a total of 9,519 meals through Meals on Wheels. That includes a loyal crew of volunteers who serve 35 Trussville seniors five days a week for 285 days. We value the partnership we have with local church groups and other volunteers in the City of Trussville as we work together to improve the quality of lives of our community’s senior population.
United Way’s Meals on Wheels program serves 700 meals a day to seniors and disabled individuals throughout Jefferson County. In Jefferson County alone, there are 129,800 residents who struggle with hunger. Our volunteers deliver meals to homebound residents across Jefferson County. Meals on Wheels delivers the support that helps seniors remain independent and have the ability to live in their own homes. For more information visit www.mowjeffco.org