Meals On Wheels linked to British goodwill

Mary Mason

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 | midnight

The history of Meals On Wheels can be traced back to the Blitz in Great Britain in 1940. So many people had lost their homes and the ability to cook that a group from the Women's Volunteer Service for Civil Defense responded by preparing meals and delivering to their disadvantaged neighbors.

Then in 1954, the first American home-delivered meal began in Philadelphia. At the request of the Welfare Council, a social worker was given a grant to pilot a program that met the nutritional needs of homebound seniors who otherwise would go hungry.

As is the case today, many participants were people who simply needed a helping hand in order to maintain their independence. In an effort both to cover costs and to maintain the elders' sense of dignity, the program charged a fee based on the individuals' ability to pay.

Later organizers realized they needed to identify seniors who truly needed the home-delivered meals and turned to home health organizations and local hospitals and even identified eligible people through concerned neighbors who provided the names of needy seniors in the community.

Today at the Senior Center of Boulder City, we pretty much do the same thing. Local hospitals, doctors or visiting nurses will send us a referral to let us know if someone is in need. On occasion, a neighbor or family member will call to inquire about the Meals On Wheels program.

Individuals or couples over 60 who are primarily homebound may also call on their own and may be eligible to receive homebound meals.

Any primarily homebound person over 60 is eligible for Meals on Wheels. We do accept donations of any amount, and the suggested donation is $2.50 per meal. An evaluation must be done to be sure the person needs the meals and understands the program rules.

Think you know someone who might need Meals On Wheels? Talk to them and then let us know. We are happy to help out if we can.

Forms for grants

Registration for the state Division of Aging began on Oct. 1, the start of the federal fiscal year, which means that new forms for federal grants must be on file.

Please remember that we do not receive any funds for your meals unless you have filled out the required form. Unlike many senior centers in the state, the Senior Center of Boulder City is an independent, nonprofit group and depends on state grants to survive.

Recognizing abuse

Elder abuse training for all Senior Center volunteers will take place on Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. If you are currently a volunteer or think you might like to volunteer, please attend this one-hour presentation.

This week at the Senior Center

Thursday

8 a.m. — Wood carvers

1 p.m. — Canasta and pinochle

1 p.m. — Chatty Hatters

1 p.m. — Social Security

6:30 p.m. — Weight Watchers

Friday

8 a.m.-noon — Farmers market

8:30 a.m. — Book cleaners

9:15 a.m. — T'ai chi

noon — Duplicate bridge

1 p.m. — 500 cards

1 p.m. — Pinochle

1 p.m. — Elder abuse training

Saturday

8:30-11:30 a.m. — Holiday Boutique, sponsored by PEO, Chapter K

9 a.m. — Weight Watchers

Sunday

10 a.m. — United Methodist Church of Boulder City

Monday

9 a.m. — Toenail clinic

11:30 a.m. — Mah jongg

1 p.m. — Wood carving

1 p.m. — Party bridge

Tuesday

9 a.m. — Congressman Jon Porter's representative

10 a.m. — Coin collecting

12:45 p.m. — Poker

1 p.m. — Pinochle

6:30 p.m. — Weight Watchers

Wednesday

9 a.m. — Blood pressure

9 a.m. — Weight Watchers

9:15 a.m. — T'ai chi

10 a.m. — Better Breathers

12:30 p.m. — Open music jam

12:45 p.m. — Bingo

6 p.m. — Duplicate bridge

Lunch Menu

Thursday — Baked chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, veggies, salad bar

Friday — Cheese ravioli with meat sauce, Capri vegetable, salad bar with fruit

Monday — Cod, rice, vegetable, salad bar with fruit

Tuesday — Scrambled eggs, sausage, hash brown potatoes, salad bar with fruit

Wednesday — Meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, creamed spinach, salad bar with fruit