Meals on Wheels Contra Costa program gives important connection

MARTINEZ — Meals on Wheels Contra Costa has a fame amongst its shoppers of being a lifesaver an ordinary the group takes with a lot satisfaction.

The mission of the 34-year-old group, which serves some 800,000 free meals yearly to three,600 seniors, is to “support homebound elders to maintain their health and dignity, and enable them to live independently in the comfort and security of their own homes,” in addition to “to aid nutritionally at-risk senior citizens who have challenges that prevent them from preparing nutritious meals for themselves,” in keeping with the group’s web site.

“Meals on Wheels Contra Costa has earned its reputation as a lifesaver because the service we provide is vital to the well-being of homebound seniors,” stated Govt Director Cassandra Miranda. “For many, we are their connection to the outside world, their source of nutrition, and often their safety net.

“In many ways, the service we provide helps our seniors maintain their independence, health, and dignity. The food being delivered sustains them physically, but the caring interaction sustains them emotionally.”

Seniors and their members of the family typically flip to the group for a wide range of causes, together with on the lookout for meal providers and looking for assist discovering extra sources in the neighborhood. There are additionally those that merely name to speak with a trusted workers member, which Miranda stated reveals “how deeply they rely on the support we provide, whether it’s addressing a practical need or offering a comforting conversation.”

“This connection helps ease the emotional and mental burdens that seniors may face, fostering a sense of trust and companionship. It’s this combination of nutrition, safety, and genuine human connection that makes Meals on Wheels a true lifesaver for so many in our community.”

Shopper Karen Paluzzi, 91, of Pinole, firmly believes the group has change into important for her well-being. Meals on Wheels, she says, “keeps me alive. I’m a very big fan of Meals on Wheels. It’s very worthy and provides a lot of benefits for seniors.”

Paluzzi, who lives alone, fractured her backbone in 2016 and most lately was injured in a automobile crash. She says Meals on Wheels has helped her keep her independence, keep wholesome and keep away from feeling remoted.

“Maintaining my independence, that’s a biggie,” she says. The meals are additionally “good and nourishing” and don’t simply ease the burden of each day cooking however are additionally “a tremendous help financially” for seniors.

The San Francisco native has traveled extensively overseas, spending almost three many years residing in international locations resembling Norway, Italy and Spain. She has attended the California Faculty of High quality Arts and Crafts, labored for the now-defunct Trans World Airways as a salesman and as an interviewer in analysis research with the College of Chicago. She retired in 1982.

She returned to the Bay Space to be nearer to her household, notably her grown youngsters, grandchildren and nice grandchildren.

“I have good family support when I need it,” she stated. However because the years handed, she seen a change in her vitality, particularly when it got here to cooking. As soon as a passionate residence cook dinner who beloved getting ready meals from scratch, Paluzzi not had the drive to spend hours within the kitchen. It was quickly after she fractured her backbone that she turned to Meals on Wheels.

She stated the connection along with her volunteer drivers has been simply as precious because the meals. She has shaped particular bonds with volunteer drivers for Meals on Wheels which have become relationships that she nonetheless enjoys. “The human connection is very important. I’m pretty social, but there are people who need it and it’s really important for people like them.”

Miranda additionally emphasised that contact: “Meal deliveries aren’t just about nourishment—they’re also a wellness check and a moment of human connection. The delivery drivers are often the only people our clients see, and they’re trained to notice signs of distress or change, which can prevent minor issues from turning into emergencies.”

Paluzzi mirrored on her expertise and confused the significance Meals on Wheels can have on folks: “It’s a service more people need to be aware of and take advantage of.”

The group was based in 1990 as officers confronted a rising waitlist of homebound elders needing providers, with stagnant authorities funding. Recognizing the pressing want for a sustainable funding supply, they established the group to bridge the hole between rising demand and insufficient help.