Meals on Wheels of York County provides more to area residents than a warm meal and a smiling face, like that of Irmgard Morin, seen here on her way to a delivery.
Courtesy photo
YORK COUNTY - Irmgard Morin has been delivering Meals on Wheels in the Kennebunk area at least three days a week for five years. Irmgard, who sees between 12 and 20 people each route, says she gets much more out of delivering the meals than she gives.
"I'm almost 82 and proud of it. If I don't involve myself in the community I have nothing. By delivering Meals on Wheels, I get involved in other people's lives. It helps me stay alive."
The Southern Maine Agency on Aging provides Meals on Wheels in both York and Cumberland counties. Each weekday volunteers help package and deliver much more than 800 nutritious meals.
The Meals on Wheels driver's arrival is much anticipated by older homebound people. For some, the Meals on Wheels volunteer is the only person they may see all day. That volunteer also confirms the person they deliver to is safe and healthy. Working family members rely heavily on that midday confirmation of the security of their loved one.
As well as the social and protective benefits of Meals on Wheels, there are health benefits. People living alone often find it difficult to cook nutritious meals for themselves. With Meals on Wheels they are guaranteed a healthy lunch. Additionally, a recent multi-state survey determined that older people who received Meals on Wheels after being discharged from the hospital were less likely to be readmitted and that their follow-up care was less costly.
Maine is aging quickly and more people need Meals on Wheels. In the first four months of this fiscal year, the Agency delivered 11,252 more meals than in the same period last year. That is an increase of 20 percent!
The numbers are huge: In October, 2,595 meals were delivered from the Biddeford meal site to people in Biddeford and surrounding towns. In Sanford, nearly 2,400 meals were packaged and delivered in the area. There are five sites in York County from which Meals on Wheels are delivered and where more mobile adults can come enjoy a sit-down meal with friends at a Senior Dining Center. In October, 7,715 meals were provided in York County by the Southern Maine Agency on Aging.
Meals on Wheels is a crucial piece of the mission of the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to help older adults live independently in their own homes. Unfortunately, only two-thirds of the cost to provide Meals on Wheels comes from the federal or state government. The rest must come from gifts.
To sustain Meals on Wheels in York county this year, the Southern Maine Agency on Aging must raise $50,000 in private contributions. One of every three meals delivered is paid for by donors to this nonprofit organization. These donors include people who receive the meals, companies, foundations, and other individuals. Morin finds there are many people who receive the meals who can afford to make a contribution but there are many others who can't. It's so important to be able to provide a daily meal to every one, whether they can make a donation or not.
The campaign to raise $50,000 for Meals on Wheels in York County has received a head start from the Huntington Common Charitable Fund which made a lead gift of $10,000. A $5,000 gift has also been received from Bangor Savings Bank Foundation through their Community Matters More ballot.
To join in this fundraising effort, gifts to support Meals on Wheels in York County can be made to the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, 136 Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074. A gift can be made in memory or to honor a special person.
Anyone with questions about making a gift to Meals on Wheels in York County can call Susan DeWitt Wilder, annual giving manager, at 396-6513 or toll-free at (800) 427-7411.
