Sun staff
For seniors in Clermont County who are not able to shop for groceries and cook meals on their own, the Meals on Wheels program provided by Clermont Senior Services makes a difference.
Cindy Gramke, executive director and CEO for Clermont Senior Services, said the program helps keep seniors living independently, longer.
The program is designed for individuals over the age of 60 who have difficulty preparing food as the result of one or more medical situations, according to Gramke.
“The idea is people can get back on their feet,” Gramke said.
Gramke said all of the meals are balanced, and seniors get to select what meals they want each week.
“I think it’s great, especially when you don’t have a vehicle and can’t drive,” Nancy Cummings, of Amelia, said about receiving meals.
Della Hunt, of Amelia, who recently returned from the hospital, said the meals have helped her.
“It is easy to fix them, especially when I was by myself,” Hunt said about the meals.
Jonne Walker, of Amelia, also said Meals on Wheels has been helpful.
“I can’t get out and get to the store,” Walker said. “Meals on Wheels has been a life saver, really.”
Meals on Wheels has been around since the 1970s, according to Gramke, but has changed as technology has advanced.
Originally, Gramke said the meals were made in the kitchen and delivered hot. But she said that as demand increased and they had to serve more seniors, it became difficult to keep the meals at the desired temperatures.
She said they eventually made the switch to frozen meals and found a product, Savory Selects, from the Derringer Company, that meets their standards and gives individuals using the program plenty of options.
Today, hundreds of seniors throughout Clermont County are served through Meals on Wheels.
Gramke said several dedicated drivers and many volunteers deliver meals for the program each week.
Phil Stovall is one of the Meals on Wheels drivers.
Stovall picks up meals from Clermont Senior Services in the morning and then delivers them to seniors at their homes.
“The day can vary depending on the geography and the customers,” Stovall said about delivering meals. “We deliver to all kinds of people in different positions.”
Stovall not only takes the meals to the seniors, but he also develops a relationship with them and is able to check on how they are doing.
“We try to make it a positive experience for them,” Stovall said.
Gramke said they have about five drivers who work for the organization and then the rest of the meals are delivered by volunteers.
“Seventy-one percent of meals are delivered by volunteers,” she said.
Gramke said Meals on Wheels is funded by several revenue streams including money from the Clermont Senior Services levy as well as funding from United Way.
Gramke said without the support of the Clermont Senior Services levy, and without the support of organizations like United Way, programs like Meals on Wheels would not exist.
For more information about Meals on Wheels or other Clermont Senior Services programs, visit www.clermontseniors.com.