Meals on Wheels volunteer Charles Schaer heads over to drop off two trays of food at a residence on Tuesday, April 14. After four years of volunteering as a driver, Schaer originally held off on volunteering at the start of the COVID-19 crisis due to medical conditions but decided to return and continue to help. His route included all of the original homes he visited as well as new ones. Meals on Wheels delivery has increased 29% in the past month. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
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It’s been nearly a month since Center 50+ closed, effectively ending meal service for many who dropped by the Salem senior center for lunch.
Now Meals on Wheels has amped up its delivery service, handing out 147 more meals each day to meet the increased demand.
“That adds up over the week really quickly,” said Program Manager Mel Fuller.
Normally, about 125 seniors each day would go to Center 50+ for meals, but when the center closed on March 16 some switched to getting meals delivered.
This week, Meals on Wheels got additional federal money to help cover the costs of the meals which are delivered Monday through Friday.
Now, anyone who is over 60 can qualify. There is no charge for the meals, but donations are accepted.
Fuller said she isn’t sure her agency has the capacity to serve everyone wanting the meals but it’s considering new supply lines.
“We’re not turning anyone away right now,” she said.
In early March, the meals program averaged 10 to 15 new signups each week. Now that number has jumped to 40 or 50.
“When we first started, we were taking calls from people who were worried about how they’re going to get food,” Fuller said.
Meals on Wheels has deployed 150 new drivers and added an additional 11 routes since the beginning of March.
“The good news is that we have the drivers. The community has stepped up and filled this need for us,” Fuller said.
She said the program is easier for seniors to navigate than trying to buy groceries online, especially as stores are burdened with increased demand.
Fuller said her staff has been able to cook all the meals needed, but that could change as demand increases. She’s looking into buying more prepared food.
Meals on Wheels isn’t taking on any new volunteers right now but will if there’s more need.
Because of all the volunteer interest, Fuller said she got extra help to coordinate the volunteers – a responsibility usually for one person.
The program, which normally runs orientations weekly, has been doing driver orientations daily.
Meals on Wheels also delivers a monthly grocery box including fresh produce to 80 low-income seniors. Fuller said that program hasn’t changed.
Have a tip? Contact reporter Saphara Harrell at 503-549-6250, [email protected] or @daisysaphara.
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