https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2016-12-22/wish-list-meals-on-wheels-requests-deliverers/

Wish List: Meals on Wheels Requests Deliverers

By Montinique Monroe, December 22, 2016, 3:30pm, Newsdesk

Meals on Wheels Central Texas ensures the delivery of approximately 2,000 meals a day with one goal in mind: keeping Austin residents in their homes.

“We help older adults and people with disabilities maintain their independence and keep them living at home where they want to be, and out of assisted living facilities,” said Thad Rosenfeld, the organization’s vice president of communications.

Meals are delivered to local residents by volunteers who commit to serving at least one day each week. Meals on Wheels also offers in-home services, assistance with grocery shopping, and specialized programs for military veterans. Other programs include Mike’s Place, which provides respite care for people with Alzheimer’s, and Pets Assisting the Lives of Seniors (PALS), which provides clients with free pet food and basic veterinary service.

Even though there is no socioeconomic requirement, the majority of Meals on Wheels clients are low-income. “They don’t have 401ks or any retirement programs,” Rosenfeld said. “They find themselves in dire financial circumstances and unfortunately, as Austin is one of the most expensive cities in the state and across the country to live, some of these sweet folks are trying to make ends meet on as little as $700 a month, which puts them in the agonizing position to have to decide between medication and food.”

Austinites have the power make an impact by delivering meals once a week, Monday through Friday. People who can’t commit to delivering each week are encouraged to create a delivery team with their co-workers, church, sorority or fraternity members, or family and friends. Volunteers are also needed for the PALS program and Mike’s Place. Beyond this, Rosenfeld asks locals to make sure they continue to check on their homebound neighbors.

“These are folks that should not be forgotten, a lot of them made Austin what it is today and we think it’s incumbent upon the rest of us to remember our homebound neighbors and make sure that they have what they need to continue living independently.”

Find Meals on Wheels’ and other nonprofits’ donation needs on our annual holiday wish list page.