Meals-on-Wheels seeking volunteers to deliver food to homebound seniors | Giving Grace

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – As COVID-19 restrictions continue to ease, Mid-Cumberland Meals-on-Wheels is able to do more to help feed elderly and disabled seniors in Montgomery County.

Meals-on-Wheels has been delivering healthy lunchtime meals to homebound senior citizens in the community for over 45 years. Sharon McDaniel, engagement director for the organization, says they are in dire need of volunteers to deliver meals, and they serve more than 550 people in the Clarksville area.

McDaniel said that over the past year with the pandemic, Meals-on-Wheels has been serving each person five frozen meals once a week. But they are now back to serving hot meals, and they need volunteers Monday through Friday, and especially on Friday, because there is a waiting list for seniors needing help.

“It’s been a difficult time, and we definitely need to get our volunteer force built back up. Clarksville and Montgomery County has been great to support us in the past, so we’re hoping we’ll have some people step forward and be willing to help us now,” McDaniel said.

McDaniel said the meals that are being delivered are low sodium with a balance of protein and carbohydrates, and consist of a meat, two vegetables, bread, milk and a dessert. Delivery of the meals from the meal site to a senior usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour depending on the route.

McDaniel added that one out of every six seniors in Tennessee is hungry, and with the high cost of medicine, it’s estimated that around 30 percent of seniors have to choose between food and medicine.

To be a volunteer you must be at least 18 years old, and there will be a background check. Otherwise McDaniel said just bring your friendly, smiling face, because many times Meals-on-Wheels volunteers are the only person a senior will see in a day.

To volunteer or to learn more, go to the Mid-Cumberland Meals-on-Wheels website or email Sharon McDaniel at smcdaniel@mchra.com.

Giving Grace, sponsored by Grace Dental, is an ongoing Clarksville Now series showcasing local nonprofit organizations.