Meals on Wheels combating loneliness and isolation with nutrition
Cheryl Knopf, the Talbot County Coordinator for Meals on Wheels, is combating loneliness and isolation with nutrition with their volunteer group in Easton.
“They have no way of, a lot of them do not drive,” Knopf said. “Without us, they would have no way of getting food.”
Meals on Wheels in Easton has partnered with national senior care company Home Instead to make sure seniors who live alone get the food they need on a daily basis.
“It’s better for their health, they are eating nutritious meals,” Knopf said. “These meals are put together by a nutritionist, so they are all good for them.”
Knopf tells 47ABC that the food includes a protein based entrée, a wheat or grain based carbohydrate, and a vegetable or fruit in each package.
“The recipients look forward to them coming also.”
Meals on wheels has nine routes and today alone they will serve 117 meals. The entirety of Talbot County is covered with two routes by volunteers from the Easton Rotary Club and others who are eager to lend a helping hand.
Jenna Marchi is the owner of Easton’s Home Instead. She says their partnership will broaden access to the meals for seniors who rely on these services, along with raising critical funding for the program.
“We are just trying to encourage people to get into the community to talk with their neighbors and their loved ones,” Marchi said. “Engage with them over a meal, and also highlight meals on wheels as an option for seniors.”
Marchi tells us that as much as they look forward to the food — it’s the companionship that matters the most to these seniors. And they are also there to check on their wellbeing.
“If they do not have loved ones, meals on wheels can be that front line and spot concerns in the house or additional services that might be needed.”
Isolation isn’t the only problem senior citizens face in Talbot county.
“Transportation in this area is a big issue so it has been very hard to watch people be isolated and the problems that that creates.”
