The Oxford Site for Meals on Wheels is looking for volunteers and drivers.
Meals on Wheels is a non-profit, volunteer-based service that delivers nutritious meals to homebound persons, provides daily contact with a trained volunteer who provides important social interaction and gives important referral information to other agencies as needed. In order to help participants maintain a sense of dignity and independece, the organization charges a nominal fee for the meals, but does not refuse anyone who can not pay.
Locally, the Oxford Site for Meals on Wheels is run through the Rochester Older Persons Commission (ROPC), located on Parkdale Ave. in Rochester. The Oxford program has been in the area for more than four years and is currently located on the Crossroads for Youth campus. The site provides meals to homebound persons in the Oxford and Oxford Twp. areas.
“This is a homebound senior and disabled persons program,” said the Oxford site hostess Colleen Browarski. “We deliver meals along three different routes and feed many, many people.”
The concept behind Meals on Wheels began in 1939 during World War II. Volunteer women in England would deliver meals to their disadvantaged neighbors and refreshments in canteens to servicemen. These canteens became known as “Meals on Wheels.”
In the United States, the first official meal program started in January of 1954 in Philadelphia’s Lighthouse Community Center. Although not yet named Meals on Wheels, the program formed the foundation on which today’s organization is based. Over the years, several communities across the country followed suit creating similar meal delivery systems.
Oxford’s Meals on Wheels site has been a small operation for some time, having changed locations and site directors; however, the dedication of the program’s volunteers has kept the meals coming.
“This program has been getting a lot of support from outside agencies,” said Browarski. “It’s strenthening the community.”
Just a few of the groups working with the Oxford site include Oxford Bank, the Rotary Club, Oxford Schools and Crossroads for Youth, where the center is housed. Browarski highlighted Oxford Bank because a small group of employees come every Thursday to help package and deliver the meals.
“They are always here and always right on time,” she said with a smile. “They even bring their own coolers to carry the food in.”
Even though providing good nutrition is the primary goal of the organization, Meals on Wheels is more than just a hot meal to many of the participants. Browarski said that quite often the delivery drivers make welfare checks on the homebound and hang around for a bit just to chat.
“It’s someone to talk to or maybe even do a small chore for,” she explained. “The volunteers really do this out of the kindness of their hearts. Sometimes, they’re the ones who find when there is a problem.”
Any homebound individuals interested in the program, or anyone wishing to recommend a homebound individual, should contact the Rochester Older Persons Commission at 248-608-0264.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Browarski directly at the Oxford site at 248-236-9260 between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., or the ROPC at 248-608-0264. All potential volunteers are reviewed through a screening process.
“Any help is greatly appreciated,” said Browarski. “We’re always looking for more people.”