By Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
It’s so much more than a simple meal, it’s a chance to brighten someone’s day.
March is Meals on Wheels Month and as part of the annual event, local mayors shadow volunteers as they deliver a hot lunch to clients in need. On Friday March 7th, Tecumseh mayor Gary McNamara and Lakeshore mayor Tracey Bailey took part in this year’s delivery day.
The Community Support Centre coordinates the Meals on Wheels program locally, where cooks prepare the meals at the their kitchen facility in Puce. It serves the Essex, Tecumseh, Belle River, and Stoney Point areas. Around 60-70 volunteers are involved with the program and ensure the meals are delivered to those who need them.
These compassionate and cost-effective services improve quality of life, and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, emergency room visits and premature institutionalization. They are the key to a sustainable health care system for Ontario.
Government funding covers only part of the cost – the difference is made up by donations and/or client fees. Meals on Wheels delivered 3,347,043 meals to 68,000 Ontarians in 2023-2024. One-hundred and twenty-five 125 not-for-profit organizations reported receiving provincial funding to provide Meals on Wheels in Ontario.
Tej Kapil, a Lakeshore resident, has been receiving a meal for the last two and a half months. Cooking everyday has become difficult for him physically, especially after recently losing his wife.
“I like the food, its good quality,” said Kapil, who really likes the chicken dishes offered. “I am grateful for the service. It helps me out immensely.
Julie Fortin has been volunteering for the program for around five years.
“I’m semi-retired, so it allows me the opportunity to get out of the house and into the community, getting to meet and know people
at their doors,” she said. The connections and friendships I’ve built are important to me and reaching out to those who need some extra care is important.”
She says the friendships she has made has been really rewarding for her.
“Some have come and gone and some have passed away, which is sad, however, I love that we have this program available to the community,” she added. “It’s amazing that we can provide food and a social call, especially in the winter months, when people can feel a little disconnected from the community. I just love it and hope the program continues to sustain itself.”
“This is just a wonderful opportunity to connect politicians with the engagement in community,” said mayor Bailey. “This allows us to witness how the program works, volunteerism in its truest form. It’s a way for me to meet individuals across the region that may be homebound, isolated, lonely and experiencing disconnect.”
She says it’s a great opportunity to watch volunteers give a friendly visit, check in with clients, have a chat…in some cases it’s the only the only smile that they receive all day.
“What an opportunity to brighten someone’s day,” she added.
Bailey says that they have an overall volunteer base at the Community Support Centre of approximately 250 people, who help with many different services offered.
The Community Support Centre offers an array of programs, including adult day program, community food pantry, foot care, transportation, and home supports and can be reached by calling 519-728-1435.
Log onto www.communitysupportcentre.ca to learn more about the Meals on Wheels program.