Delivering meals

Meals on Wheels, a long-standing program through SoutheastHEALTH, will end this year. After 37 years, the program has seen a drop in the number of seniors opting to use the service. Effective Jan. 1, meal delivery will operate through the Cape Girardeau Senior Center's Homebound Meals program.

Volunteers at one time delivered more than 100 meals a day to local seniors. Now, with more options through the Senior Center and retirement communities, the total has dropped to about 20 seniors per day.

Meals on Wheels has been an important program in our community. Countless volunteers, many through their churches, have faithfully spent time delivering hot meals to and visiting with seniors -- something many of these individuals looked forward to.

From Anne Limbaugh, who started the program in Cape Girardeau in 1974, to Nancy Bray, the program's longtime volunteer coordinator, and the many other individuals who have been instrumental in this program's success, thank you. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and many seniors have been blessed -- both nutritionally and through your visits.

Susan McClanahan, administrator of the senior center, said the center can often bill Medicaid for meals it delivers if the participants qualify and are over 63 years old. Others who would like to use the service are asked to donate $3 per meal. And according to Bray, those currently participating in the Meals on Wheels program will not see an interruption in meal service.

If you are interested in volunteering to deliver meals with the Senior Center's Homebound Meals program, call 335-1352 or stop by the center at 921 N. Clark Ave. in Cape Girardeau.