By Michael Piwowarski
MIDLAND – In wake of the COVID-19 spread and increased shutdowns of businesses, Midland is turning its attention toward one of the more vulnerable parts of its population: the elderly.
Mayor Maureen Donker issued a proclamation Monday, March 16 declaring March 2020 to be March for Meals Month. The proclamation urges every citizen to honor the services provided by the program, as well as the volunteers who run it in the city and the elderly people who need it.
The community organization Meals On Wheels established the March for Meals campaign in 2002 in recognition of the Older Americans Act nutrition programs that got signed into law by President Richard Nixon in 1972.
“Since 2002, Meals on Wheels programs from across the country have joined forces for the annual awareness campaign to celebrate this successful public-private partnership and garner the support needed to fill the gap between the older adults served and those still in need,” Katie Guyer of Midland community affairs announced in a statement.
Meals On Wheels drivers volunteer to deliver meals to homebound senior citizens who are in need. Midland non-profit Senior Services manages several Meals On Wheels delivery routes in all areas of Midland County.
“Senior Services of Midland County has been an integral part in supporting the health, wellbeing and overall quality of life for senior citizens in our community for many years,” stated Guyer. “One of the programs it facilitates, Meals on Wheels, seeks to address the issues of isolation and hunger in the senior population by providing both nutritious home-delivered meals and friendly company to deliver it.”
Charlie Schwedler, executive director of Senior Services, received the proclamation from Donker on March 16. Schwedler remarked how it came at a fitting time, with the coronavirus continuing to make its way into the United States and into Michigan.
“As you may know, if you’ve read what we’ve done, we’re like everyone else; we’ve had to close down congregate dining and those kinds of things, and kind of scale back our services,” said Schwedler. “But what we’re not scaling back is Meals on Wheels. […] In fact, we’re increasing that.”
Schwedler also announced that Senior Services is doing a drive-in service for meals. This is in light of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s recent executive order closing down all dine-in services at Michigan bars and restaurants, and similar gathering places, restricting their business to take-out or delivery.
He reminded the council and the audience that Senior Services is entirely volunteer driven, with most of their volunteers being 65 years of age or older. During the coronavirus crisis, Schwedler said this is an item of concern.
“We’re in the midst of trying to figure out exactly how we’re going to do this, so anyone who would like to volunteer, we would gladly appreciate your assistance in that area,” Schwedler said.
People can sign up to volunteer at the Senior Services website.
