News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Jackson County Senior Center staff are delivering more meals to home bound seniors.
UCHRA and Helen’s Restaurant have teamed with the senior centers to provide these meals. Fairview Senior Center Representative Barbara Wheeler said meal pick up has increased from single digits to over 75 within the past few weeks.
“People are getting fed,” Wheeler said. “Older people, people that are not able to fix themselves a meal. They’re eating processed food and stuff, and now they’re getting a home cooked meal, and that’s awesome. To me that’s awesome.”
Wheeler said she and three volunteers are able to transport over 80 meals in about 30 minutes. She said she hopes the numbers increase to 100 soon.
“Our community is excited,” Wheeler said. “It’s just awesome that we’re having so many participants now versus so little, so small of participants. The amount that we have now it awesome.”
Granville Senior Center Director Lisa Braun said she’s seen a 30 percent or more increase.
“Right now it’s mostly pick up lunch, they drive through and pick up from our center,” Braun said. “Although, we do have maybe two that on occasion get delivered depending on if there’s a health issue with those persons. Our group right now are coming to pick up for the most part.”
Over 30 people pick up meals. Braun said Helen’s Restaurant cooks three meals for four days, and the center cooks one day.
“Going to the grocery store can be a problem, you know, keeping your distance and all that,” Braun said. “This provides a way that they can get a meal without having to go into the store. It is a meal at a discounted rate. I think maybe people in the past also weren’t even aware that there was a meal program available that they could go to.”
