Meals on Wheels Contra Costa program supplies important connection

MARTINEZ — Meals on Wheels Contra Costa has a repute for being a lifesaver — a high quality the group accepts with pleasure.

The mission of the 34-year-old group, which fundraises to subsidize some 800,000 free meals delivered 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 bolster the vitamin of at-risk seniors “who have challenges that prevent them from preparing nutritious meals for themselves,” in accordance with its web site.

Meals on Wheels Contra Costa raises funds to assist cowl the prices of the meals that the Meals on Wheels West Contra Costa, Meals on Wheels Diablo Area and J-Sei businesses ship.

“We are the meals. They are the wheels,” stated Govt Director Cassandra Miranda.

Meals on Wheels Contra Costa buys or in any other case contributes to the price of meals from Trio Group Meals that the opposite businesses distribute, she stated. Additionally they present referral providers and help, as wanted, to the opposite businesses, she stated.

“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,”  Miranda stated. “For many, we are their connection to the outside world, their source of nutrition, and often their safety net.

“The food being delivered sustains them physically, but the caring interaction sustains them emotionally.”

Seniors and their relations typically flip to the group for a wide range of causes, together with meal providers and assist discovering further group assets. There are additionally those that merely name to speak with a trusted employees member, which Miranda stated exhibits “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, stated the group has turn into important to her well-being. Meals on Wheels, she stated, “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 just lately was injured in a automobile crash. She stated Meals on Wheels has helped her preserve her independence, keep wholesome and keep away from feeling remoted.

“Maintaining my independence, that’s a biggie,” she stated. 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 practically three many years dwelling in international locations comparable to Norway, Italy and Spain. She has attended the California College 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, significantly her grown kids, grandchildren and nice grandchildren.

“I have good family support when I need it,” she stated. However because the years handed, she observed a change in her power, particularly when it got here to cooking. As soon as a passionate house prepare dinner who liked making ready meals from scratch, Paluzzi now 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 beneficial because the meals. She has shaped particular bonds with them which have was 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.”

Paluzzi mirrored on her expertise and careworn 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.