Meals on Wheels Prepares for Bad Weather

Meals on Wheels volunteers arrive at ACCA to get today's meals and additional meals out to clients.

Local Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers have been in overdrive this morning getting ready for the impending weather forecast.  791 meals went out to Clarke County clients today and an additional 201 meals went out in Barrow County totaling 992 meals between the two counties.  These meals were a combination of hot meals, frozen meals, and a meals that are considered “shelf stable” meaning they will remain good and can be prepared even if there is a loss of power.  “Clients and volunteer safety are the biggest concerns for us and our staff at a time like this… we can’t predict what will happen with the weather but we can be proactive and prepared for the worst.  In the case that we aren’t able to get to the clients because of inclement weather, it is our job to make sure they have food available to them and at their table,” stated Jennie Deese, the Chief Executive Office at Athens Community Council on Aging.

29 volunteers gathered at the Athens Community Council on Aging and the Winder Adult Day Health this morning to help prepare and get these meals to the Meals on Wheels clients.  Tapley Bennett has been delivering meals for Meals on Wheels for the past 4 years.  She delivers meals 3 times a week and considers the clients her family.  She came in earlier than usual today to help get the extra meals out to the community.  “Delivering extra boxed meals when inclement weather is expected is so important to the clients that we serve guaranteeing them at least one complete meal each day.  We take for granted our ability to go to the grocery store and pick up bread, milk and anything else we may need.  Many are homebound and depend on the kindness of others and us as Meals on Wheels volunteers.  I am so grateful for ACCA’s Meals on Wheels program and others like it,” stated Bennett.