How about some spaghetti and meatballs for dinner? Better yet, how about a free spaghetti and meatballs meal delivered to your door?
That just became a reality for some Coral Springs seniors as the Meals on Wheels program just arrived in Coral Springs, said Meals on Wheels South Florida Executive Director Marlene Gray.
Gray said the Meals on Wheels program has provided meal services to older Americans under the federal Older Americans Act since 1984.
According to a city spokesperson, the City of Coral Springs began funding the program in July under a $426,000 community development block grant.
Now, the search is on to find more clients. “We want to reach clients who don’t know about the program,” Gray said. “We want to spread our wings.”
She already has 15 or 16 residents receiving their free meals seven days a week. Recipients must be 55 and older and unable to help themselves. “We don’t want anyone to go hungry.”
Recipients receive seven breakfasts and seven dinners weekly. Volunteers make all deliveries on Monday. “If we do add on more clients, we might need more volunteers for a different day,” Gray said.
Not surprisingly, the most popular item on the menu is the spaghetti and meatballs dinner. Also popular are the fish (tilapia), salmon, chicken, and rice. “And they all love our mashed potatoes,” Gray said.
Meals on Wheels South Florida uses a caterer in Fort Lauderdale to prepare food. Because their clientele is seniors, particular attention is paid to nutrition and healthy eating.
“We are dealing with seniors, and we make sure the sodium level is not high,” Gray said. “Everything is structured to make sure these are the meals that are good for seniors. Every six months, the menu is changed.”
Coral Springs residents Prabha and Basant Madnani have been getting their meals from the program after Prabha had two recent surgeries and became unable to cook. She not only likes the meals but also enjoys the side items that come in packets with them. She prefers the vegetable dishes, and her husband enjoys the fish dinners.
After her most recent surgery in early September, a visiting nurse came to her home for follow-up care and asked her about her living arrangements. She suggested the Meals on Wheels program. The nurse contacted the program, and the wheels were set in motion.
Those interested in learning more about the program or applying for free meals, call 954-714-6943 or 954-714-6920. For their website, click here.
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