Solano Meals on Wheels Increases Operations During Pandemic
The Solano County Meals on Wheels program has been delivering healthy meals to homebound senior citizens in Benicia, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, Dixon, and Vallejo for more than fifty years. Throughout this time, the organization’s mission has been to make sure no elderly people go hungry and, in the 2020 holiday season, the group is significantly increasing their operations and providing meals to even more people in need.
Feeding The Elderly
Solano County Meals on Wheels typically serves around 13,000 meals every month. However, as the coronavirus pandemic has made it dangerous for elderly people to leave their homes, the organization has nearly doubled its monthly meal count.
According to Laurie Hartmann, executive director of the program, the organization is currently serving around 26,000 meals every month. Furthermore, the organization’s client base has grown to around 850 people when, at this time last year, there were only around 700 who relied on the service.
Emergency Food Box
In 2019, Meals on Wheels provided emergency food boxes during the fire season. These boxes contained enough food to keep clients fed for five full days. Because many were without electricity as power companies shut down operations to reduce the risk of fires, the boxes helped many people without access to refrigeration or other necessary utilities and services.
In 2020, the organization is sending out a second round of emergency food boxes to clients who are adhering to the recent stay-at-home order for Solano County. While in 2019, each recipient was given a single box, this year, recipients will receive two boxes each. Clients who prefer not to have boxes delivered to their homes directly are able to pick them up at the Benicia senior center at 11:00 a.m. every Monday
The boxes are delivered in addition to the regular Meals on Wheels service and are full of a variety of different non-perishable food items. Boxes include fruit, vegetable juices, chili, canned meats, protein shakes, and more.
Holistic Service
Hartmann stated that the needs of the elderly community are “sometimes more than food” and indicated that Meals on Wheels’ services are much more than just delivering meals. The organization also has a pet food program to help seniors feed their cats and dogs and does their best to provide clothing and toys as well.
Staying Safe
Seniors are some of the most vulnerable members of the population, especially with regards to the Covid-19 pandemic. While many people with the virus only experience moderate symptoms like cough and fever, at-risk groups such as senior citizens are more likely to suffer serious illnesses like pneumonia that could lead to death.
By reducing the need for the elderly to leave their homes, Solano Meals on Wheels is doing everything it can to make sure that senior members of our community stay safe during this unprecedented time.
Other Blogs by Ed Smith, Benicia Truck Accident Lawyer
- Crash on Highway 37 Leaves Benicia Resident Hurt
- What are Benicia Truck Accident Lawyers?
- On-Duty Benicia Police Officer Involved in Deadly Crash
Benicia Truck Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Benicia truck accident lawyer. Truck accidents can have major consequences for survivors and their families. To get free, friendly advice following a serious trucking crash, call us at (800) 404-5400 or (707) 564-1900 as soon as you are able.
Our firm has been working with people in Benicia for nearly four decades, and we’ve helped clients obtain many verdicts and case settlements, affording them full compensation for their damages. Learn more about our history of successful legal advocacy by reviewing our profiles and client feedback at:
I currently belong to these groups:
Picture: Norma Mortenson
:ms llo [cs 634]