"MEALS ON WHEELS" VOLUNTEERS DO MORE THAN JUST DELIVER FOOD

 EUREKA, CA- Many senior citizens are alone during the holidays. Volunteers at the senior resource center, who deliver “meals on wheels” are doing more than just delivering food.
 
For volunteer Russell Johnson a day’s work is more than just delivering food, it’s about bringing joy to the elderly. Johnson added, "They are happy to see me. Or they are happy to get the food. No, they are happy to see all of us."
 
Johnson is retired and uses his own vehicle to take prepared meals to senior citizens who cannot leave their homes to eat. He said, "its always a joy to the people. You get to know the route and get to know the people and their different characteristics."
 
Volunteers deliver 160 meals a day. For some recipients this may be all the human interaction they have for the week. Johnson said, "I give them an extra few minutes to chat, vent, or whatever they need to do… they may not see anyone else till next Wednesday when I get there."
 
Senior Resource Center Officials said as a society we tend to forget about our senior citizens. Barbara Walser added, "Sometimes as a community we look at the person they way they are now and we forget the experiences they took part in. They have get values and stories to share."
 
 
The volunteers and staff work daily to serve seniors residing in Fortuna to Trinidad. Senior Resource Center officials tell us about the seniors who receive ‘meals on wheels.’ Walser added, "maybe you don't the ability to shop. You might not have a caregiver. You can't get up and work at a stove or put something in the microwave. So for some seniors this is their meal."
 
And their meals delivered with a smile and compassion. Johnson added, "There are some very important people out there. And they were someone. And to me they still are."
 
McCrea Nissan Subaru will be donating $125 to the “meals on wheels” program for every Subaru they sell this season.