With the kids grown and gone, the holidays can be a particularly lonely time for older folks and COVID-19 certainly isn’t helping, but the volunteers at Meals on Wheels and other Odessans are doing their part to alleviate those feelings of isolation.
Since Thanksgiving, the East 5th Street nonprofit has been collecting blankets, slippers, gloves and scarves under its “Warming Tree” in the lobby, said Executive Director Margaret Burton.
In addition, they’ve also been collecting all manner of personal hygiene products, including lotions, shampoos, lip balms, etc.
“We take the items and put them in our board room and our volunteers pick out items to deliver them,” Burton said. “It’s even better if they know the clients because it’s more personal that way.”
Meals on Wheels, which has 200 regular volunteers, delivers roughly 450 lunches Monday through Friday, Burton said.
The community has been quite generous, but additional donations would be appreciated, she said.
Asbury Methodist donated “sacks and sacks” of warm items and the students of Barbara Jordan Elementary School launched a blanket campaign in honor of the late Sue Garner that brought in 456 blankets, Burton said.
Garry Garner, who was dropping off more blankets Monday, said his wife volunteered for Meals on Wheels for more than six years.
About 20 years ago, she and their daughter, former Barbara Jordan teacher Lisa Anderson, convinced students to create Christmas cards for Meals on Wheels participants, a tradition that continues to this date, he said.
He lost his wife of 59 years in September and thought the blanket drive was a fitting tribute to her.
Volunteers Don Riggs and Gerardo Moreno said the clients are thrilled with their gifts.
“They feel happy because some people have taken an interest in them,” Moreno said through a Spanish-speaking interpreter.
Those who donate also come away feeling good, Burton said.
“I think the givers know they are filling a need,” she said. “They know that when people are only making $700-$800 a month they’ve got to watch what they spend and sometimes they have to do without and so many of them are living by themselves.”
Just recently Burton said she received a call from a woman in tears because she’s received a birthday card from Meals on Wheels.
“She told me it was the first card and only card she’d received because she didn’t have anyone,” Burton said. “By the end of the call I was crying, too. Some of these people are so lonely the least little thing is dear to them.”
