Meals on Wheels Diablo Region serves up meals, companionship and more

No less than as soon as per week for the final 14 years, 86-year-old Joe Rubi has been greeted at his Pittsburg dwelling by a pleasant customer bearing presents, like beef, hen, pasta, salad and bread.

The Meals on Wheels meals is rarely accompanied by seasoning, since every consumer has totally different dietary restrictions, nevertheless it does include a pleasant smile, dialog and check-in. For Rubi, a retired naval shipyard machinist and Korean Battle veteran who likes to socialize, the visits are simply as a lot concerning the folks he meets because the nourishment.

“The women are particular; they take time to speak to their shoppers and see the way it’s going. That kind of interplay, it strikes dwelling to me,” Rubi stated. “God bless ’em.”

The 5 frozen meals Rubi receives each week are among the many half one million served yearly by the Meals on Wheels Diablo Region, which gives roughly 6,700 seniors per yr with not simply meals but in addition providers starting from train packages to social interplay to fall prevention, the place volunteers will set up seize bars and railings to assist their shoppers dwell independently for a bit of longer.

“We match volunteers with seniors who could not have anybody else of their lives,” stated Govt Director Caitlin Sly. “We attempt to have a complete host of various packages and providers that we provide to handle most of the well being wants our seniors have.”

The group obtained funding this yr from Share the Spirit, an annual vacation marketing campaign that serves residents in want within the East Bay. Donations will assist help 56 nonprofit businesses in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. Meals on Wheels Diablo Area will use its grant to offer one yr of web service for 50 low revenue seniors to permit them to make use of Meals on Wheels tablets to take part in Zoom well being and wellness lessons, and join with family and friends. The funds may even assist pay for medical alert units for 25 frail seniors in case of falls or different emergencies.

With a purpose to qualify for Meals on Wheels, shoppers have to be older than 60, homebound, now not driving, unable to arrange meals themselves, and with out a certified caregiver that prepares meals. Eighty % are categorised as “low revenue or extraordinarily low revenue,” in line with an inner examine by the group.

Whereas its title and status draw focus to the meals supply program, Meals on Wheels is simply as dedicated to offering companionship and socialization. Extra cell seniors, for example, can attend café-style luncheons Monday via Wednesday, on the Pittsburg Senior Heart at 300 Presidio Lane, which offered meals 5 days per week earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“I see folks sitting collectively who by no means knew one another earlier than and having fun with one another’s firm,” Bonnie Paulson, the café program specialist for Meals on Wheels Diablo Area, stated in an interview.

Equally, throughout deliveries, volunteers make some extent of speaking to every recipient, they usually use a cellphone app to notice issues of significance to different drivers, like if a consumer says they haven’t been feeling effectively.

“We’re not DoorDash, we’re undoubtedly there to examine in and ensure our seniors are wholesome and effectively,” Sly stated.

Walnut Creek resident Jeanette Stewart, 81, now not makes use of the meals supply service, however stated that when she did one of many drivers took it upon herself to go to Stewart for per week straight to learn her a complete guide. It was about Thomas J Hicks, a infamous black market child vendor — not essentially the most uplifting subject, however the social interplay brightened Stewart’s day.

Now, in a submit COVID-19 world, Stewart participates in Meals on Wheels’ Pleasant Customer program, the place she and a volunteer converse on the cellphone a number of instances per week.

“We discuss all types of issues. I inform her tales and we discuss different stuff. It’s fantastic for each of us,” Stewart stated. “If you may get to know somebody over the cellphone you may actually be taught to like them.”