{Meals on Wheels South Florida}
Coral Springs seniors, what could be better than scrumptious and nutritious meals being delivered straight to your doorstep? How about if those tasty meals were free of charge?
That’s now a reality for some Coral Springs seniors as the Meals on Wheels program has arrived in Coral Springs, said South Florida Executive Director Marlene Gray.
Delivering more than just a meal, the City of Coral Springs is proud to partner with Meals on Wheels to offer weekly delivery of delicious breakfasts and dinners to seniors (55+) and individuals with special needs. The Meals on Wheels mission is to nourish, support, and connect with homebound seniors in Coral Springs. Volunteers deliver healthy meals, friendly check-ins, and much-needed companionship. The program is funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), a grant provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Gray said the Meals on Wheels program has provided meal services for older Americans under the federal Older Americans Act since 1984.
The City of Coral Springs provided funding for the program under a $426,000 community development block grant beginning in July, according to a city spokesperson.
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 local 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. All deliveries are made on Monday by volunteers. “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 is the fish (tilapia), salmon, and chicken and rice. “And they all love our mashed potatoes,” Gray said.
Meals on Wheels South Florida uses a caterer in Fort Lauderdale for food preparation. Because their clientele are seniors, particular attention is paid to nutrition and healthy eating. “We are dealing with seniors and we make sure the sodium 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 the meal. 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 to receive their free meals, call 954-714-6943 or 954-714-6920. For their website, click here.
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