SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. — Meals on Wheels is supporting seniors in Sacramento County, especially during the holiday season. It's a nonprofit organization that offers home-delivered meals to seniors aged 60 years or older.
"We pride ourselves on being more than just a meal," said Robin Smith, volunteer services specialist with Meals on Wheels. "It's not just a warm meal. The nutrition is a big aspect. But, one of our main goals is to help people age in their own home and stay out of costly care facilities, if that's what they choose to do."
In Sacramento County, Meals on Wheels serves about 2,000 seniors every week. Volunteers deliver meals to seniors who struggle with leaving their homes or making food for themselves.
On Wednesday, seniors in the program got three meals total for the Thanksgiving holiday. That covers dinner for the rest of the week. Some of meals included a turkey dinner, chicken sandwich with sweet potatoes and beets and creamy mushroom chicken with raisins.
"For a lot of our participants, the driver might be the only person they see in any given day," Smith said. "Our most at risk for in-home injury, might be dementia, stroke, heart attack or fall risks. We get them on daily hot meals that way, there is a volunteer coming by every day, Monday through Friday, to check on them to make sure they are OK."
Shirley Johnson is a volunteer driver with Meals on Wheels. She's been serving in the program for eight years. She said she loves working with seniors the most.
"I love meeting and talking with my elderly participants," Johnson said. "Because most of them want to talk. Some are lonely. It's just interacting, seeing them smile and giving back."
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Darrel Stanley, who lives in Sacramento County, participates in the Meals on Wheels program. He said he's thankful for the service.
"It's been a lifesaver," Stanley said. "Meals on Wheels is why I can have some money in my pocket sometimes. They make me eat food that I would not normally eat. They give me a lot of vegetables. I like vegetables. They give me food that's nutritious, because if it was left up to me, I would eat sweets."
According to Feeding America, 5 million seniors aged 60 and older faced hunger in 2021. That's one in 14 seniors. Hunger can put seniors at risk for chronic health conditions, like depression, asthma and diabetes.
Feeding America goes on to explain that some seniors are more likely to face hunger due to racial and economic inequality. Black, Latino and Native American seniors are more likely to face hunger. Seniors with lower incomes or those with disabilities are most at risk too.
Nutrition programs are available to help seniors afford food, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
As for Meals on Wheels, the organization still needs help in caring for seniors this time of year. That includes volunteers and donations. The majority of donations go directly to the preparation, delivery and service of the meals for seniors. Meals on Wheels is asking the public to donate at least $60 to sponsor a senior in Sacramento County for 10 meals.
Meals on Wheels is also holding a campaign called Project Warm Wishes. The goal is to provide gifts to seniors for the holidays, like blankets, scarves, socks and other cozy items.
To learn more about the campaign and how you can support seniors year-round, visit the Meals on Wheels website.
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