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Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio adjusts services during Pandemic
Mar 24, 2020
Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio adjusts services during Pandemic
Creative solutions ensure no senior is left hungry and vulnerable
What
Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio (MOWNEO) is working hard to get creative to ensure all clients in the three-county service area are fed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The agency will provide seniors with 2 weeks of shelf-stable meals on a bi-weekly basis, temporarily replacing hot and frozen meals. Volunteers will be trained for no-contact drop off and check-in procedures, and wellness checks will be addressed via phone. The last day for hot and frozen meal deliveries will be March 27.
Why
Senior citizens are the most vulnerable population for contracting the COVID-19 virus. By changing the service model until the threat has passed, Meals on Wheels aims to provide seniors with safe access to nutritious meals in the heat of the pandemic. Shelf-stable meals reduce contact between volunteers and clients, reduce the potential of food contamination and ensures that they have meals should our kitchens be mandated to shut down or closed due to a lack of staffing from the illness. Volunteers, who as a majority fall under a high-risk demographic, will be better protected as well.
When
The planned delivery schedule for the 2 weeks of shelf-stable meals is listed below. Meal deliveries will be made between 8am and 5pm.
- Delivery made between March 26-28 for meals for the weeks of March 30 and April 6.
- Delivery made between April 8-10 for meals for the weeks of April 13 and April 20.
- Delivery made between April 22-24 for meals for the weeks of April 27 and May 4.
- Delivery made between May 6-8 for meals for the weeks of May 11 and May 18.
- May 18 - hot and frozen meal delivery resumes pending the status of COVID-19 at that time.
Volunteers for Meals on Wheels are considered essential service providers and are needed to deliver meals between 8am and 5pm on:
- March 26-28
- April 8-10
- April 22-24
- May 6-8
Please contact 330-832-7220 x113 if you would like more information related to assisting with meal deliveries.