Everyone Deserves A Good Solid Lunch

The Lakewood Division of Aging is in the business of providing helpful services to seniors living in our community. Many people forget that there are a great many older residents in Lakewood, who love their homes, and who just need a little extra assistance to remain where they are, as members of their community. Perhaps it is coordinating transportation to medical appointments or the store. It could be getting a hot lunch to someone who might otherwise have a hard time getting something heated up on their own. Maybe it is just providing a friendly human connection to someone who has become somewhat isolated, due to the weather or a medical condition. The Division of Aging has a wide variety of services and programs that provide a helping hand for those residents that could use it.

One of the Division of Aging’s most vital services is its Home Delivered Meals program. This much needed program provides a hot lunch to our older neighbors who find themselves in challenging circumstances. All too often, an older person who has been living completely independently in their own neighborhood will find themselves in need of some temporary assistance to get them over the challenge at hand. If providing light assistance, like providing a hot meal helps that person to continue living in safely their own home, then the Division of Aging considers that a worthwhile investment.

The Lakewood Division of Aging Home Delivered Meal program would not be able to function without its wonderful volunteers. Volunteers and the seniors very quickly develop connections with each other, becoming acquainted with each other’s back stories and patterns. All too often, if a volunteer is on vacation, the sub will hear things like “Hey, you’re not Todd!” or “Where’s Ellen today?” These types of connections are very powerful and meaningful for both the volunteer and the person receiving the lunch. These friendships further the sense of community that the Division of Aging seeks to promote.

The Division of Aging is currently recruiting Home Delivered Meal volunteers. The time commitment is one day a week – Monday through Friday. Meals can be picked up at the Lawther Center, 16024 Madison Ave, between 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM. Routes take approximately one hour or less to complete. All Home Delivered Meal routes are located entirely within Lakewood. Prospective volunteers should contact the Lakewood Division of Aging Volunteers and Activities Office at 216-529-5005, or by emailing barry.wemyss@lakewoodoh.net. Consider joining the team. Your help will be appreciated by many.