Donation helps with improvements to local Meals on Wheels program

Southeast Missouri Hospital's Meals on Wheels program, now in its 32nd year, recently received a $3,000 donation from the Southeast Missouri Hospital Auxiliary and the Cape County Area Medical Society Alliance that enabled an expanded menu and new method of delivery for clients.

The improvements, now in effect, were made without a cost increase to clients.

The meals, distributed by church volunteers and the alliance, are being delivered in disposable, three-compartment trays vacuum-sealed for freshness, temperature control and no spill-over.

Old and new menu items have been evaluated for nutritional value and benefit to all participants. Clients can partake of old and new menu items on a two-week rotation, with the exception of those individuals on diets needing different consistencies.

Food and nutrition services director Caroline Williams said the hospital hopes to soon expand the Meals on Wheels program to include weekends as well as weekdays.

Hot, nutritious, medically prescribed meals are available at noon Monday to Friday to anyone within city limits, regardless of age, who is unable to prepare a meal for himself or herself or has no one else to do it and who is unable to prepare a meals because of infirmities of age, convalescence from surgery or illness, visual, physical, mental or other disabilities. To learn more about the program or how to become a part of Meals on Wheels, contact Southeast Home Health at 651-5800.