Page 65 - Let's Make Waves - October 2018

Galveston Island

Meals on Wheels Program

2803 53rd Street, Galveston, Texas 77551 • (409) 744-2668
What is the Galveston Island Meals On Wheels Program?

Two guiding principles
A major philosophy behind Galveston Island
Meals is a commitment to keep the program
deeply rooted in the Galveston community.
With this in mind, two basic principles guide
its operations.
• Federal funds are neither used -nor
$2500 from Classic Auto Chili Cookoff, Maggie sought -so that the program may remain Capt. Jim Turner & Andrew Scott Turner
Benhans,V.P M.O.W.; Howie Bentley, Owner Classic Auto; Ray independent of funding that can become
Pinard; Donna Kierney; Tom Hutlon restrictive. Recipients are asked to pay Volunteers can include Galveston stu-
what they can towards the cost of the dents, homemakers, business profession-
More than Just a Meal program but are not denied meals if una- als, or retirees -or groups (civic, social
Galveston Island Meals on Wheels, Inc. is a ble to pay. and/or church related).
non-profit, volunteer-driven organization dedi- • Volunteers from within the community • Financial support is needed to assist
cated to delivering hot meals each weekday to are recruited to deliver meals and commu-
qualifying homebound and elderly clients re- nity gifts are solicited to provide assis- those who cannot pay the full cost of
gardless of their ability to pay. The program tance to help those unable to pay the full their meals. The majority of meal recipi-
provides in-home delivery of hot, nutritious cost of their meals. ents are unable to pay the full cost of their
meals by community volunteers to aged and meals. However, no one is denied a meal
infirm citizens of the City of Galveston. Each A three-fold purpose for the lack of funds making outside sup-
meal is delivered with kind words and a smile. There are three primary objectives of the Gal- port critical to the program.
For many recipients this may be the only con- veston Island Meals on Wheels Program: • Individuals or organizations willing to
tact they have with someone outside of their • To provide well-balanced nutritious meals adopt a meal. Individuals and/or organ-
home on a regular basis. Galveston Island izations willing to adopt one or more cli-
Meals on Wheels is more than just a meal -it's to Galveston citizens who, because of age ents on a monthly or annual basis are
a vital link for homebound residents. or infirmity, have difficulty preparing or encouraged to contact Galveston Island
securing meals on their own.
Meals on Wheels.
• To provide companionship to those Days of Operation
served through daily visits by volunteers.
Noontime Meals are prepared daily, Monday
• To provide citizens interested in working through Friday, including holidays.
with and ministering to the elderly an
opportunity to work directly with elderly Program Details
clients. An additional benefit of the Gal- Individual Cost of Meals -All meals are sold
veston Island Meals on Wheels program at cost, and costs are kept to a minimum. Re-
is that it enables many senior adults to cipients are asked to pay what they can, but
remain in their homes longer or return to only about one-fourth of the recipients can
Nick de Berardinis, Connie Green, Marian Chick their homes sooner following discharge pay the full cost of the meals. Donations and
from the hospital. gifts make up the difference in cost. All dona-
Growth through the years
Three basic Needs tions are tax-deductable.
The Galveston Island Meals on Wheels Pro- Eligibility Requirements- Recipients must
gram began in 1974 as a cooperative effort The needs of the Galveston Island Meals on be elderly and or home-bound residents of
between the Junior League of Galveston Wheels Program are three-fold: Galveston. Referrals are welcome and come
County and Moody House, the Methodist • Volunteers are needed to deliver the from many sources, with the majority coming
Retirement Communities' facility in Galveston. meals. The number of meals served is from discharge planners and social workers of
In 2009, a decision was made to ensure unin- limited in part by the number of volun- local hospitals. To make a referral or obtain
terrupted meal services to this vulnerable pop- teers available to deliver to recipients. more information please contact Galveston
ulation. At the time it began operations in Island Meals on Wheels at (409) 744-2668.
1974, the program delivered just 10 meals a
week. Today Galveston Island Meals on Program Administration- The Galveston
Wheels, Inc. delivers more than 100 meals Island Meals on Wheels Inc. Board of Direc-
daily. Since the program started, more than tors are volunteers who reside or work in Gal-
500,000 meals have been delivered to the el- veston. Board members meet monthly to over-
derly and homebound citizens in Galveston. see program operations, fund raising and pub-
More than 28,000 meals will be delivered this licity.
year alone.
Tori Blackwell & Son
Waves Magazine | October 2018 Issue | 65