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nation’s fastest-growing pre-senior (ages
55-64) demographic and ranks second in
population growth of individuals 65 and
older. At the same time, families today
are less likely to be close together than in Georgetown recipients largely in thanks
years’ past, leaving an increasing num-
ber of adults vulnerable to isolation and
a diminished quality of life as they age.
Fortunately, dedicated area residents
are working to make sure that doesn’t
happen.
“It’s not just the meal,” says Lauren
McAndrews, Development Director at
Opportunities for WBC. “We believe in
the neighbor helping neighbor philoso-
phy. It’s a knock on the door, it’s caring
about your community.”
Georgetown volunteers have particularly
taken the organization’s community ser-
vice mentality to heart. Working within
an independently designed collective of
12 churches, drivers coordinate deliver-
ies month by month, allowing everyone
to work within their schedule and to
serve neighbors not just within their
Meals on Wheels works with volunteers to keep deliveries local, fostering relationships between neighbors and helping
to support communities which care for the safety, wellbeing and independence of its members.
ONLINE: SCTEXAS.ORG
community, but sometimes within blocks the sofa. She smiles broadly, explaining
of their own homes. Last year, Meals that though her daughter lives in the
on Wheels was able to provide 24,980 area, she gets lonely and appreciates
nutritious, restaurant-quality meals to the visitors.
to this collaborative effort. “I don’t get much company anymore,”
says Helen, who has been receiving
“It’s really a model for volunteering and Meals on Wheels on and off for roughly
delivery,” says McAndrews, who also 15 years. “But it’s nice to have a little
oversees delivery programs in Round chat when they bring by your food. I’ve
Rock, Leander, Cedar Park, Liberty met such nice people this way. And, well,
Hill, Taylor, Bartlett, Thrall, Burnet, who doesn’t like good company and a
Bertram and Marble Falls. good meal?”
But to delivery driver and Sun City Though need for nutrition programs is
resident Ruth DeRuyter, volunteering growing at unprecedented rates, fund-
is simply the means by which she can ing for these programs has dropped
be a better neighbor. “We’re all going to dramatically, leaving some seniors on
need help eventually,” says DeRuyter, waiting lists for services. Though staff
who began volunteering with her hus-
band Mark through First Presbyterian WU\WKHLUEHVWWRÀOOWKHJDSVSXWWLQJ
Georgetown. The couple makes it a point in extra hours and making deliveries
to check in and chat at every house, even themselves, high demand continues to
if just for a moment. Stopping at Helen strain the program’s limited resources.
Sheridan’s home on a warm Friday af-
ternoon, they set the meal on the kitchen 7RÀQGRXWKRZWRKHOSRUOHDUQPRUH
counter as Helen waves them over to about your local Meals on Wheels pro-
gram, call 512-763-1400 or send email
to [email protected].
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