Hello readers,
I feel it is necessary to show my gratitude for Meals on Wheels, a service of Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services (HCS).
When I was on disability and became a senior citizen, I asked for help, and I was introduced and accepted into the Meals on Wheels Service. Over the years, I have learned that this service not only provides food but also a ‘wellness check-in’. For example, I went to visit my sister in Vermont and didn’t tell Meals on Wheels that I wasn’t home. When I didn’t answer the door, they called my emergency contact, who happened to be my sister. So, while I was visiting, my sister received a call from them, worried about my welfare. All was good, and I was thankful that they cared enough to follow through.
HCS also offers much more than nutrition services. I received Visiting Nurse care from HCS after I was released from the hospital with broken ribs. The nurses and other HCS staff checked that I took my meds, did my exercise, and that I was capable of doing basic tasks to care for myself. Because I don’t have family in the area, I rely heavily on their services. They have become my family.
The Meals on Wheels service includes every chore of getting a healthy meal prepared for a senior person. The food for the meals is planned, gathered, cooked, packaged, and delivered. Even if my family was here, they couldn’t show up every day to help me with my meal, so in many ways, Meals on Wheels is also a gift to my whole family.
Each portion of this service takes time and money. Funding provided by the government only covers a portion of the meal cost, and HCS receives charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations to cover the rest of the cost. The time given is by employees and volunteers who package and deliver meals every weekday.
Realizing how much a meal costs, I decided that I wanted to help. My funds are limited, but I am blessed, so I got onto a monthly donation schedule. I also want to help by writing this letter to the Keene Sentinel to show my gratitude and to ask all of you who can help to show your gratitude by donating to Meals on Wheels. Maybe your parent, grandparent, or neighbor is receiving this service, freeing you from the shopping and cooking, and delivering. I reach out to all of you to go to the website www.hcsservices.org/give and make a small monthly donation to Meals on Wheels or toward any of their services provided.
HCS is exactly what they say in their name, a community service organization – run, loved, and cared for by the supporters of our community. We depend on members of this community to help serve our community. I don’t know how to say it any plainer than this.
Thanks for reading this. I hope it instilled in you a thankfulness and a giving spirit.
Good day,
Joseph Prelas, West Swanzey.
