Latest news with #MealsonWheelsProgram
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Meals on wheels program for home-bound seniors in the Tampa Bay Area
The Brief Hundreds of volunteers with the Neighborly Senior Care Network deliver more than just hot food to seniors in the Tampa Bay Area. For Kristin Lindow, a neighborly volunteer, it's a way to bring comfort, nutrition and a smile to someone's front door. Last year, the program delivered more than 500,000 meals across the region. TAMPA - April is National Volunteer Month and one woman is delivering more than just hot food to seniors in the Tampa Bay Area. Kristin Lindow is packing up for a big day. But she's not heading off on vacation; Kristin is delivering hot, prepared meals to home-bound seniors. "It makes me feel that I'm making a difference in the world, you know, in our little world, Tampa Bay, St. Pete," Kristin Lindow, a neighborly volunteer, said. She's one of hundreds of volunteers with the Neighborly Senior Care Network Meals on Wheels Program. What they're saying "They see every day the immediate impact they make in the quality of life of these individuals," said Lindow. "It's not just about food delivery, it's, as most of our volunteers say, it is about delivering hope." Five days a week, folks like Kristin hit the road with one mission: feeding those who can't get out to feed themselves. READ: Seaside Seabird Sanctuary rebuilt after hurricanes thanks to Greater Good Charities "I think that the people that I've met mean a lot to me and I mean a lot to them because I try to be as happy as I can be when I come to their door," Lindow said. Last year, the program delivered more than 500,000 meals across the region. While having an impressive team of 800 volunteers, the need continues to grow. "This is a critical lifeline for them because many of them have significant nutritional needs, and so we have dietitians on staff who work to ensure that the meals are properly and nutritionally balanced to meet the needs of an older adult population," said Hillary Justice, a volunteer coordinator. For Lindow, it's a way to bring comfort, nutrition and a smile to someone's front door. "I think that if more people took the opportunity to do this, they would find the same satisfaction," Lindow said. What you can do If you want to volunteer, the program is always looking for extra help. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Bryan Gray. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bamberg County seniors at risk as Meals on Wheels faces major funding crisis
BAMBERG COUNTY, S.C. (WJBF) — A funding crisis could leave Bamberg County seniors hungry and alone as The Meals on Wheels program is nearly out of money. 'This money, it is getting less and less each and every year,' Executive Director Kay Cleary. 'And we are already told that next year's going to be cut a little more. and I don't see how they can do this. So many of these seniors need this meal. County leaders say The Lower Savannah Area Agency on Aging faces a $2.3 million cut this Meals on Wheels Program in Bamberg County is low on funds. By February, Bamberg County had already spent nearly 90% of its meal budget. They were told more money was coming. So, they added more seniors. By October, the funding fell through. Now, they're serving more people than they're paid to. 'Some have made choices not to serve, but thank goodness we have saved some and we do get money from some churches in the county and we decided of course we would fulfill that,' she said. The group serves 150 home-delivered meals a day. Another 50 are served at the center. Right now, 75 to 85 people are on the waiting list. 'Sometimes they can't even take the trash to the curb, so we have to help them with that,' Site Manager Cady Stack added. 'They like to have people talk to 'em. They don't have anybody come by. So sometimes our face is the only face they see all day.' The County Council adopted a resolution asking state leaders to step in and secure emergency funding. 'I've met wonderful people here,' Ella Breland. 'Some that , I knew before coming and quite a few after I came here. And I really enjoy talking and just communicating with people every day and when I don't come I miss my friends. I love all of them.' 'It's a wonderful program and good thing about this program is that a lot of the members that receive those lunch it's probably mostly special meal that they would really receive and it's a nutritious meal,' Samella Porter added. Bamberg County Councilwoman Sharon Hammond tells me letters, and a resolution went to state offices and lawmakers about the concerns. She's now waiting to hear back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
