Center 50+, a city-run senior center, closed on Monday, March 16 and starting offering drive-up meals for seniors. (Saphara Harrell/Salem Reporter)
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A local government agency is looking for some extra help packaging meals for homebound seniors during the COVID-19 outbreak.
NorthWest Senior and Disability Services, a partnership between local governments that serves seniors and adults with physical disabilities in five counties, has seen an increased demand for home-delivered meals in recent weeks. While NorthWest Senior and Disability Services has closed its congregate meal sites in Mt. Angel, Silverton, Stayton and Woodburn, seniors are still turning to home-delivery and drive-through services for food.
Adults 60 and older are at particular risk for having severe reactions to the virus and requiring hospitalization. According to a press statement, most of NorthWest Senior and Disability Services’ regular volunteers fall within the same age category and have been asked to stay home as an extra precaution, which has made it harder to meet the growing demand for meals.
NorthWest Senior and Disability Services is looking for individuals who don’t have any symptoms associated with the virus such as cough, body aches, fever and fatigue. According to the statement, shifts are Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will need to complete an application and a brief orientation. Disposable gloves, sanitation stations, and training on food handling safety will be provided.
The following are the Marion County meal site locations need volunteers:
Mt. Angel Community Center: 195 E Charles St, Mt Angel, OR 97362
Silverton Senior Center: 115 Westfield St, Silverton, OR 97381
Stayton Community Center: 400 W Virginia St, Stayton, OR 97383
Woodburn First Presbyterian Church: 950 N Boones Ferry Rd, Woodburn, OR 97071
To volunteer contact Kevin Grossnicklaus by email: [email protected] or by completing the application at http://nwsds.org/index.php/home/volunteer
