Delivering food and fellowship

Written by CAROLINE NICHOLSON | Photographed by BOB SHAPIRO

Within our community, behind closed doors and shut blinds, some Coweta residents struggle to survive day-to-day. These people – grandmas, grandpas, uncles, aunts and other elderly members of society – are sick, injured or simply unable to properly look after themselves. Some are separated from loved ones and have no one to care for them. 

Among the challenges for this population are grocery shopping and food preparation. One option is to move into a nursing home or assisted living facility, but many prefer to hold onto their independence as long as possible.

Meals on Wheels of Coweta helps these seniors do just that – maintain their independence at home – by providing meals.

Since its creation in 1974, Meals on Wheels America has established over 5,000 community-based programs across the country, ensuring that seniors have access to nutritious meals. Nationally, Meals on Wheels prepares and delivers more than 251 million meals annually. 

But what they provide is much more than meals. Often, food deliveries are the only socialization seniors receive during the week. Delivery drivers keep a watchful eye on their clients and frequently connect them with other nonprofits to help meet more needs.

Locally, Meals on Wheels of Coweta began in 1981 as part of the Newnan Coweta Council on Aging. In 2010, the program began operating as its own agency, buying meals from a local hospital and serving around 40 people. Today, the nonprofit delivers more than 62,000 meals each year to approximately 250 seniors.

According to Executive Director Lizabeth Andrew, Meals on Wheels clients choose either a five-meal or seven-meal per week plan. All five or seven frozen meals are delivered by Meals on Wheels employees or volunteers on one day, allowing clients to simply place the frozen meals in a freezer to pull out when needed. Meal deliveries are made every weekday in order to cover all clients.

Over the past decade, the local Meals on Wheels has relocated three times for expansion in order to meet the growing demand. From a rented space on Hospital Road, they moved to a warehouse shared with Bridging the Gap, and then to a building on Savannah Street. During this time, the nonprofit only missed one day of service, and that was due to road closures from the March
2021 tornado.

In October 2021, Meals on Wheels moved into its current location in the Shenandoah Industrial Park. The building is equipped with a commercial-grade kitchen where their professional chef, Hannah Eure, prepares hundreds of meals weekly, according to Andrew.

“The food she prepares is divided into microwavable food trays, sealed and frozen until delivery,” says Andrew. “A team of volunteers gathers weekly to handle the food separation, print expiration labels, and organize meals in our large freezers.”

Another group of volunteers spreads out across the county in their cars and trucks to deliver the meals, visit with senior clients, and ensure their well being from
week to week.

Sarah, who has been receiving meals from Meals on Wheels for seven years, had four children, all now deceased, leaving her with little support.

“I don’t know what I would do without Meals on Wheels,” she says. “I just love them, and I thank God for them every day.”

Sue, a Vietnam veteran, faced a financial crisis after the death of her husband and was searching for help any way she could get it. She discovered Meals on Wheels and has been receiving their meals for three years.

“They are giving us so much,” says Sue. “They are helping so many people.”

Sue is right.

Since their founding, Meals on Wheels of Coweta has prepared and distributed hundreds of thousands of meals to Cowetans in need and continues to provide more each year. 

As Meals on Wheels continues to expand in order to meet the growing need, they're in constant need of donations and volunteers. To get involved, visit mealsonwheelscoweta.org. NCM