For Immediate Release
Requests for meal delivery to area homebound residents has increased by 34 percent in the last 30 days, according to Beth Gehlhausen, executive director of Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County.
Now in its 45th year, the organization is able to fulfill those requests with hot meals, sack lunches and even frozen meals thanks to the generosity of donors and dedication of staff and volunteers. They are maintaining the health and safety of staff, volunteers and clients by following guidelines from the CDC as well as minimizing exposure with no face-to-face contact. At this time, all meals are delivered to coolers on clients’ front porches.
Food insecurity isn’t a new concept in Hamilton County. Last year, Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County served more than 302 individuals 43,000 meals.
Since March 1, 70 new clients have come on board, nearly doubling monthly costs. An emergency grant has been received from the Hamilton County Foundation, but the need for donations is still great in order to meet the increased sustained need for nutritious meals for the homebound.
“We all have a responsibility to share in the solution, especially given these uncertain circumstances,” said Gehlhausen. While donations of any size are appreciated (as $50 provides meals for one week for a Meals on Wheels client while $210 provides a month of meals), a 2020 campaign goal of $50,000 was set at the beginning of the year. To donate or for more information, visit the website, https://mealsonwheelshc.org/donate/. For more information contact Meals on Wheels at 317-776-7159.
“I want the community to know we’re available, and we have capacity to help,” said Gehlhausen. “We’re taking new clients daily. Individuals just need to call us or go on the website and fill out the online application.”
JOIN OUR MAILING LIST
Subscribe to our newsletter for news on the latest happenings and events with Meals On Wheels Hamilton County.
The mission of Meals on Wheels of Hamilton County, Indiana supports individuals who are elderly, disabled, chronically ill and home-bound by delivering nutritious meals, reducing hunger, improving health and promoting independence.