MEALS ON THE MOVE!
Meals On Wheels of Sarasota has announced that it will deliver heart healthy meals east of I75 to homebound residents in need. Thanks to generous donors and a grant from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation and the Linnie E. Dalbeck Memorial Foundation, Meals On Wheels of Sarasota has updated its kitchen and added new meal packaging equipment. This has doubled their capacity, allowing them to prepare as many 1,000 meals simultaneously.
For close to 50 years, as Sarasota has grown, so has the organization’s service capacity. Meals On Wheels of Sarasota evaluates its programs, effectiveness, and local demographics quarterly through client and volunteer surveys. Projections indicate that 250 people each day would benefit from increased meal deliveries. Currently, Meal On Wheels prepares and delivers 500+ heart healthy meals a day, six days a week to homebound seniors, Veterans, children and their families.
“We are grateful every day for the generosity of our community,” said Marjorie Broughton, Executive Director at Meals On Wheels of Sarasota. “Thanks to our donors and dedicated volunteers, we can reach even more people who may be struggling with hunger and isolation.”
Social isolation, loneliness and hunger is an “invisible crisis” that threatens hundreds of local seniors, Veterans, children and families who are not mobile, and are usually without a voice in the community. They are the people who can’t visit a food pantry, or shop and cook for themselves. Meals On Wheels of Sarasota is the only service of its kind in the area, preparing and delivering healthy meals and warm smiles – along with a safety check and sometimes the only human interaction or meal a client has each day.
To donate, volunteer, get meals, or learn more, visit www.mealsonwheelsofsarasota.com, or call 941-366-6693.
Courtesy Photo: Volunteers Mike Gibbons and Lynn Schultz
About Meals On Wheels of Sarasota
Meals On Wheels of Sarasota provides nutritious meals and friendship to homebound Sarasotans unable to plan, shop, or prepare meals for themselves. A team of approximately 600 volunteers prepare, pack and deliver 500 meals daily to residents who are homebound, including physically or mentally challenged children, adults, seniors and veterans on a temporary or ongoing basis. Heart healthy meals are prepared and delivered to individuals and families who live in Sarasota County between University Parkway and Blackburn Point Road, and from East of I-75 to Longboat, Lido and Siesta Keys. Efforts are underway to expand its service area east of I-75. To donate or learn more, visit www.mealsonwheelsofsarasota.org