Delivering a needed difference

By Chad Cooper
Entertainment Editor

It was once said that as a nation, the United States has focused on helping and improving the lives of others, which has in return produced a culture that deeply values volunteer opportunities.

The heart of Nutrition & Services for Seniors lies in the home delivered meals program, better known as Meals on Wheels. Since 1983, this service alone has provided millions of hot noon meals to hungry seniors and homebound, disabled adults in Jefferson and Hardin counties.

Nutrition and Services for Seniors will host its 11th annual Deliver the Difference Luncheon on Thursday, May 5, at the downtown Beaumont Event Centre at 11:30 a.m. The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the nonprofit’s Meals on Wheels Program.

“We are in a different world now,” said Janci Kimball, President/CEO of Nutrition & Services for Seniors. “Everything has increased from meal clients, cost of food to cost of gas – and it all has a trickle-down effect on the amount of people we can serve. It affects our volunteers because they are volunteering their own time and paying for their own gas.

“Volunteers deliver about 50-60% of the routes. Volunteers are the heartbeat.”

According to Kimball, Meals on Wheels currently delivers nearly 2,000 meals a day, Monday-Friday, throughout Jefferson and Hardin counties to senior citizens and disabled adults.

“We have a gap in funding,” she said. “Yes, we do get funding from federal, state and local entities, but they do not pay the full costs and there is a $2 gap per meal. We try to make up that gap with fundraisers and grants. We do absolutely everything to prevent a waiting list. The last thing we want to do is tell a senior they have to wait to eat.”

Nutrition & Services for Seniors also provide their “Grow to Share Garden,” which is a community garden that allows them to deliver fresh fruits and vegetables when available. More than a dozen or so beds grow organic broccoli, carrots, onions, lettuce, strawberries, blueberries, tomatoes, cucumbers and more. The garden is also maintained by a part-time master gardener, volunteers and Wesley United Methodist.

“The generation we service once had gardens in their yards, so they are so thrilled to see a tomato,” said Kimball.

Tickets for the Deliver the Difference Luncheon are $50 and can be purchased online at seniormeals.org or by calling (409) 892-4455. Patrons will enjoy a lunch catered by Bando’s. Former CEO Elaine Shellenberger will also be honored for more than 35 years of selfless leadership and dedication to Nutrition & Services for Seniors. 

“Elaine built this from the ground up,” added Kimball. “Though Nutrition & Services for Seniors has been around for 40 years, she has really been an integral part of growing what this has become. We do more than just meals. We have a transportation department, animal meals for the pets of the seniors. Elaine really cares about the senior population.”

Kimball said this year’s honorary luncheon chairs, Karen and Mike Fuljenz, have also been very supportive of the cause. “Karen has delivered meals for nearly two decades,” said Kimball. “Mike has been right there with her and has been very instrumental in this luncheon.”

It’s not just meals, but the daily visits that seniors look forward too.

“The need for our services will never go away and our net can never be too wide,” said Kimball. “The only way we can continue to do things is to hold events like this. These are the shoulders on which we stand. We fight for every dollar and every volunteer.

“Volunteering is something we greatly need. One good thing about our luncheon, is not only can you learn about our programs and help raise funds for Meals on Wheels, but we also educate those in attendance about volunteering. Several that have attended our luncheon have since felt compelled to want to volunteer.”

For more information about the luncheon or volunteering, view seniormeals.org or call (409) 892-4455.