Monday morning’s delivery is a welcome visit to Eva Dreilich’s home, as volunteers drop off a warm meal.
“When they started coming I thought, ‘What a difference it makes and how much better I feel,’ ” said Dreilich. “It feels good to have a home-cooked meal.”
Once a busy volunteer herself, Dreilich now faces health challenges, making delivery of nutritious food a necessity.
She’s one of over 80 clients of Meals on Wheels in Lethbridge, a service that was in danger of closing its doors a year ago.
“Month-over-month, they had lost significant amounts of money,” said Jennifer Petracek-Kolb, Meals on Wheels executive director. “They didn’t have a surplus to draw from to continue to operate.”
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An emergency boost came from the city, totalling $45,000 in funding and a review of operations.
Now, Meals on Wheels is thriving through a strategic plan that has raised more money and focused on volunteer development, including people like John and Mary Shaw, who have been delivering meals for over 20 years.
“It makes me feel really good to know we’re able to help somebody else,” Mary said. “Meals on Wheels helped my own family. It’s time to give back.”
The organization has a volunteer base of about 100 people, whose value goes much further than just delivering meals.”
“They come in your come, ask how you are, check if you’re fine,” said Dreilich. “It’s another person to look in on you.”
The organization continues cost-assessment of the meals, which range from $5 to $14, depending on income. There are also plans to grow further.
“I can see in 3-6 months, providing a different type of meal service to enhance our current program,” said Petracek-Kolb. “I’d like to see us branch out to smaller communities around the City of Lethbridge.”
An expansion clients know would be well received.
“I think this makes a big difference in my life. This is a real blessing to me,” said Dreilich.
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