County Meals on Wheels marched in well before international program

During March for Meals Month, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160 in Wellington presented $500 to the Meals on Wheels program by The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association. From left, are Mitch Smith, Sgt. At Arms; Debbie MacDonald Moynes, executive director of Community Care and Dave Silver, President of the Wellington Legion.

While March 2024 marks the 24th annual International March for Meals campaign, the Prince Edward Community Care is celebrating 44 years of providing hot Meals on Wheels – delivering since 1980 in the County.

“Our amazing volunteers deliver nutritious meals, short and friendly visits and safety checks that enable seniors to live nourished lives in their own homes with independence and dignity,” said Debbie MacDonald Moynes, executive director of Community Care.

In 2002 Community Care added to the hot meal program and began free delivery of frozen Meals on Wheels. Local hot meal providers include Bill and Marni Grieve of Wheelhouse & Occasions Catering, and the frozen meals are ordered from Apetito – a leading food producer for hospitals, long-term care & community meals. Moynes notes all the meals are high quality, tasty and low in sodium. As well, special diet needs are available. She adds there is one low cost for the many choices of entrees. Soups and desserts are also available.

The annual March for Meals campaign began in the United States to increase public awareness and to ensure that seniors, caregivers and others know about Meals on Wheels. Another component to the campaign is to recruit new volunteers.

Requests for Meals on Wheels come to Community Care from seniors, their family and caregivers, physicians and others. These meals are delivered to the door of seniors by friendly volunteers. The delivery also serves as a security check.

Community Care helps seniors live at home. Other services include transportation to medical appointments & shopping, monthly curbside pick up meals for seniors, delivery of groceries & library books, help with Income Tax, reassurance programs, caregiver support, homemaking, yard work and home maintenance and online/in-person Active Living Programs. The agency is partly funded by the Ministry of Health and supported by donations and community fundraising efforts.

For information about all the programs or how to become a volunteer, call Community Care at 613-476-7493 or visit the website at www.communitycareforseniors.org