Greene County Meals on Wheels looking for help
Agency unable to provide food to all who need it
The Greene County Meals on Wheels program is looking for additional help to shore up the program after funding cuts left it unable to reach everyone who wanted a meal.
Blueprints manages the program as a subcontractor for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging, which receives a mix of state and federal funding for the program, said Stacy Stroman, director of Blueprints’ Aging Well program.
That funding, flat for many years, was cut by 2.25% in the last fiscal year, Stroman said.
Last December marked the first time the Area Agency on Aging had to put people on a waiting list. Thirteen people are now waiting for home-delivered meals in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.
“We’re getting calls from families when their loved ones are being discharged from a hospital and they don’t have family nearby and they need a home delivery meal or a safety check too, but we can’t provide that, where we used to be able to provide that next day,” she said.
Stroman said the department is looking for $15,000 to $20,000, which would go toward paying for basic equipment such as program supplies and containers for the meals, which are delivered Monday through Friday to homebound elderly.
Last year, the Meals on Wheels program delivered 46,609 meals to 304 residents in Greene County, Stroman said.
In addition to providing nourishment, the volunteers are also trained to report back any medical changes or issues with a person’s condition, Stroman said. If a person doesn’t answer the door, staff will reach out to the emergency contact, and even call 911 as a last resort.
“It really is a vital program,” she said. “It’s really important. It’s something that we need to continue and help meet the needs.”
The Meals on Wheels kitchen in Waynesburg prepares around 200 hot meals a day for home-delivered meals, plus ones delivered to congregate sites, said central kitchen site supervisor Jessie Rush. Rush said they are also seeking additional driers for routes in Carmichaels.
“Every senior has a story,” she said. “Every senior’s had a job, and so for them to be in need like they are of a meal or of help, sometimes they’re like, ‘Oh, I like I shouldn’t be in need,’ but they’ve already taken care of everybody. They’ve already paved the way for so many people, and it’s our turn to make sure that they have what they need.”
The meals are put together by a nutritionist, which could contribute to people being able to live independently at home for longer, said Trenna Passalacqua, chief executive officer of Blueprints.
“I think there’s direct and indirect benefits that are associated with this program and it’s something that we’ve experienced for decades because we’ve been honored and valued the relationship that we have with the Area Agency on Aging and all of the support systems that we collaborate with in Greene County,” she said.
Blueprints has called some private individuals for help with the funding, Passalacqua said. They’re also encouraging members of the public to call the Blueprints office and ask how they can help, whether with funding or volunteering.
“Without the volunteers, I can’t stress enough: this just would not be possible,” Passalacqua said.
Anyone interested can contact Stroman at 724-852-2893, ext. 543.