Meals on Wheels makes improvements

Virginia Crenshaw rode in the parade to open the old Mississippi River bridge in 1928 while holding the crown of Miss Poplar Bluff. Now 97 and blind, Crenshaw spends most of her time at home. For her, Meals on Wheels is an essential service.

That service is getting better with the recent introduction of new containers that make it easier for clients to microwave or freeze the meals. That will enable Meals on Wheels to soon begin delivering extra meals on Friday for those who need it to carry them through the weekend.

"These would be meals that people could just stick in their freezer and heat up whenever they want," said Nancy Bray, Meals on Wheels coordinator for Southeast Missouri Hospital. Bray said these meals will be delivered frozen.

The containers are disposable, three-compartment trays vacuum-sealed for freshness and temperature control without spillover.

"That's a really great new feature," Bray said. "In the past the trays were thermal units, and it was really kind of a hassle for people who didn't want to eat the food right away. We try to give people quite a bit of food, and it's not unusual to want to save some of it. This is more in line with what Meals on Wheels programs are doing across the country."

Meals on Wheels, which provides hot meals to convalescent or elderly home-bound residents, is entering its 32nd year. It is the nation's top home delivery food program. Volunteers in the Cape Girardeau program deliver more than 20,000 meals annually.

Bray said the program currently delivers between 60 and 80 meals weekly.

The additional services are the result of donations of almost $3,000 by the Cape County Area Medical Society Alliance and the Hospital Auxiliary. Thanks to these donations, said Bray, the current price of $2.25 per meal will not increase.

Caroline Williams, a registered dietitian who directs food and nutrition services at Southeast, said the changes won't affect the nutritional content of the meals.

"The meals are based on a 2,000-calorie daily requirement level," she said. "Our main concern is for the diabetic patient making sure blood sugar stays regulated."

Deliveries start at 11 a.m. daily and run through the afternoon. There are openings for volunteers on all seven of the Meals on Wheels routes in Cape Girardeau. Those interested in volunteering should call Southeast Home Health at 651-5800.

Crenshaw said she enjoys the meals.

"The new packaging is not as heavy and bulky as it was before, and lately there has been more variety in the food."

Crenshaw, who receives five meals per week, asks the delivery person to tell her what is on the plate.

"Today I had tuna fish casserole and pasta, with a good sweet chocolate cake," she said. "We had cherry cobbler yesterday. I guess I have a bit of a sweet tooth."

Crenshaw's granddaughter visits her daily. She also employs in-home caregivers. She said she has not yet taken advantage of the option to reheat leftovers.

"I always eat everything on the plate," she said.

tjgreaney@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 245