Martin County Quiet Heroes: Meals on Wheels
Stuart Resident Kathleen Ulrichny sits on her porch as Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver her lunch on Friday.
Council on Aging offers food, comfort and care during crisis
Right now almost all of us need to do our best to stay home. The coronavirus scare is a real thing. As of this date, Martin County has had four diagnosed cases reported in the news media. This invisible enemy is here and we need to practice social distancing to stop the spread. However, many people in our area still need our help. Some of these people are our older residents served by the Council on Aging of Martin County. They need us to to keep showing up by delivering meals to seniors and donating non-perishable food. We can also help from home, by making financial contributions to support services for the elderly.
Last Friday I spent some time at the Kane Center, then followed along as some meals were delivered in our community. When I first arrived, I went through a brief health screening, as did all the staff and volunteers, which included filling out a short questionnaire and having my temperature taken. A golf pencil was given to me to fill out the form and I was told it was a “free gift,” to keep us from spreading germs to each other. Hand sanitizer was readily available. I saw nothing but friendly faces and helpful attitudes.
"We are currently home delivering approximately 370 hot and fresh noontime meals Monday through Friday,” says Chelsey Matheson, Marketing and Community Outreach Manager. "As always, clients who need meals during the weekend receive additional frozen meals on Fridays to carry them through. We have already seen the number of requests for home-delivered meals increase as a result of seniors deciding to shelter in place.”
"The majority of our usual volunteers are senior citizens themselves, which means our team has been drastically reduced. We are shifting employees from other departments that are operating at reduced capacity to take over vacant delivery routes,” Chelsey said. "We are accepting new volunteers, so long as they meet the criteria of our screening process. Each person must complete a screening questionnaire and have their temperature checked every day. Anyone who is experiencing any symptoms of illness are not permitted to participate.” (Here’s the questionnaire.)
"In terms of supplies, we are getting calls from seniors in need of items, especially toilet paper. Our case managers are working with local retailers like Dollar General to try to obtain at least a small supply of toilet paper as soon as they receive a shipment so that we will be able to distribute it to seniors in need. (I suggested she contact Robert Erneston Produce for TP.—Diane)
“These are unprecedented times,” said Karen Ripper, the Council on Aging’s President and CEO, “This organization has been caring for seniors for more than 45 years, thanks in large part to the support of our community. Now more than ever we lean on each other to help ensure the most vulnerable among us have what they need to be safe during this crisis.”
The following services are currently available for seniors and their families in Martin County:
Meals on Wheels and Kane Cuisine - To access home-delivered meals, call 772-223- 7826 or 772-223-7825.
Emergency Food Pantry – The Emergency Food Pantry is stocked with non-perishable foods for those in need. Please call Meal Services for information, 772-223-7826 or 772-223-7825.
24-Hour Hotline – Seniors in need, or their loved ones, can call the 24/7 hotline at 772- 834-4236.
Case Manager Navigator – Case managers are still caring for their clients. The Case Manager Navigator is also available for assistance with accessing services and supplies. Call Jeanne at 772-223-7845 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Caregiver Counseling – Those caring for loved ones with dementia can access free caregiver counseling by calling Donna True, LCSW, at 772-223-7879.
Day Medical Center – The medical center is open. As many patients as possible are being seen via telemedicine. When necessary, patients are still being seen in the office, with additional safety precautions in place. The medical center can be reached at 772- 223-7864 or online at www.daymedicalcenter.org.
For those interested in supporting the Council on Aging’s efforts to continue providing vital services for seniors, there are several ways to help. The Council is in need of volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels. Call Curletha at 772-223-7829 for information. Donations of non-perishable food items can be dropped at the Kane Center, 900 SE Salerno Road in Stuart, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Monetary donations are accepted online at www.kanecenter.org or via check (made out to Council on Aging of Martin County) sent to the Kane Center. Stay up-to-date with program announcements at www.kanecenter.org, on Facebook.
Click here to learn more about Diane Dultmeier’s community journalism.
To talk to me about creating beautiful portraits of the people you love, fill out the contact form or give me a call at 772-223-0451.
To subscribe to future stories, sign up below to be added to my mailing list.