Mom’s Meals fills gap with loss of Meals on Wheels funding

According to NACOG Area Agency on Aging Director Mary Beals-Luedtka, applications for funding for Meals on Wheels are taken every four years, with annual renewals required if the funding awarded. While the renewals allow for corrections to be made after submission, the original RFP is highly competitive and no leeway is provided once it’s submitted.

The denial was not a reflection on the services provided by the Holbrook Senior Citizens Center, which, according to Center Director Carla Gabaldon, has always scored very high under NACOG’s strict monitoring program. The only notation on the last monitoring check was for a salad that, by the end of the service route, was one degree above the required temperature. “We took corrective measures and make certain everything is kept in the freezer until it’s delivered and package it with ice packs,” said Gabaldon.

But those types of efforts are not considered when applying for funds; only the information provided in the RFP is considered.

The Mom’s Meals program consists of two weeks of prepared meals that can be kept either in the freezer or refrigerator, and are delivered twice monthly by FedEx to the homes of seniors being served. Implementing the new program may initially create some challenges for those it serves, but Beals-Luedtka explained that these are being addressed.

Gabaldon has doubts about the service, which was already being used in outlying areas. “This worked out fine for seniors living in areas like Sun Valley where we can’t deliver, but I’ve already had phone calls from people concerned about the meals and it’s only been a week,” said Gabaldon.

Some of those concerns have been the inability to lift the delivered boxes to bring them into the home. One individual was concerned that since he and his wife both get meals, they won’t have room to store them. Another lives in a motel and has only a very small refrigerator.

“These are elderly people and the main reason we have provided the meals is to ensure that they get proper nutrition. They may forget to make the meal, may not have the vision to see the numbers on the microwave or read the container, or may just plain feel that it’s more effort than they can put out that day to even microwave a meal, if they have a microwave,” said Gabaldon.

Beals-Luedtka stated that she’s also received calls from seniors. “I received a call the other day from someone saying they were unable to lift the boxes after they were delivered. We have a special contract with FedEx and they are supposed to bring those boxes into the home. We contacted that driver and let him know to do that,” she explained.

She noted that each client is assigned a case manager and that manager visits with the client, collects any pertinent information regarding their restrictions and accessibility, and works to make sure that each person is able to accommodate receiving the meals.

What the program doesn’t provide is the face-to-face interaction that doubles as a welfare check when those meals are delivered. “Each person also has an assurance specialist who calls to check on them. At first it’s every day, then a couple times a week. It’s the same assurance specialist, so they get to know each other. If the phone isn’t answered then we go to whomever they assigned as a backup, like a daughter, and call them. If there’s no one else, then we call 911 for a welfare check,” said Beals-Luedtka, adding that if upon talking to the client it is determined there are non-emergency concerns, a home visit is planned.

Beals-Luedtka admits it’s not an ideal circumstance, but applauded the city’s consideration to continue to have personnel conduct the daily welfare checks even without the meals program. “We’re not the brick and mortar, that comes from the community; we’re the bread and butter. It really does take a village with everyone working together to provide the best service,” she said.

Beals-Luedtka said that NACOG would be very interested in forming an agreement with the city to provide the names of those it serves through the Mom’s Meals program, with permission from the client, in order for those seniors to get that one-on-one visit each weekday.

Without the Meals on Wheels program, the Holbrook Senior Citizen Center is facing some economic challenges. In addition to Gabaldon, there is a cook with an assistant to make meals. She’s been asked if she will lay off people or close down the center altogether, but that’s not something she’s willing to consider at this point.

“We have other services to consider. Twice a month we provide food boxes through United Food Bank to at least 120 families in the community. We also serve meals to the Holbrook Head Start, which is also funded by NACOG, but through a different program,” she said.

The center is also still offering home delivered meals for $6, as well as meals at the center for $5, but a reservation has to be made 24 hours in advance.

“We only have four people taking advantage of the home delivered meals now because, quite frankly, most people live on a fixed income and can’t afford the cost. It’s tight, but we’re doing fundraisers to help make up the difference. Unfortunately, there are a lot of fundraisers out there right now so we’re competing with the needs of others,” said Gabaldon.

Although the $3,400 to $3,500 the center received monthly for the Meals on Wheels was important, Gabaldon said it never covered the cost of feeding those in need, which averaged anywhere from 18 to 23 people each day. “We relied on the funding from the donations to make up the difference,” she said. On Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, those donations totaled $16 for meals served at the center.

The other problem is timing. During the school year the center provides approximately 75 breakfasts and 100 lunches to the students at Holbrook Head Start Preschool, but during the summer the center receives no funding for the program.

To donate to the Holbrook Senior Citizens Center and the services it provides, contact Gabaldon at 524-6044. The center will also be hosting a steak sandwich, and green and red chili burrito fundraiser at the historic courthouse during Wild West Days on Saturday, July 15.

For more information on the Mom’s Meals program offered through NACOG, call (928) 774-1895.