By Joan Grant
Nobleboro Selectperson Deb Wilson, left, helps pack Meals on Wheels under the guidance of Robin Maginn, Nutrition Coordinator.
Special to the Coastal Journal
DAMARISCOTTA – Meals on Wheels are delivered to the housebound everyday but on March 19 they were special. On that day, town officials in Lincoln County were invited to help pack and deliver meals to highlight "March for Meals", an effort organized by the Meals on Wheels Association of America. The idea is to bring attention to the needs of senior citizens and others who are unable to prepare their own meals.
Selectperson Deb Wilson of Nobleboro answered the call in Damariscotta and helped pack meals into containers to be delivered by volunteers. Meals are assembled at Spectrum Generations (formerly Senior Spectrum) located at the Coastal Community Center at 521 Maine Street. Officers in Waldoboro and Wiscasset were aiding the effort in their communities.
"I’m willing to help out with this any time. Just call me," Wilson told Robin Maginn, Nutrition Coordinator.
Once cooked meals were packed into heated containers and beverages and deserts into coolers, volunteers whisked them into their vehicles to head off on their house to house journey.
Bill Schwanemann of Pemaquid, has been delivering meals on the Pemaquid peninsula for nine years. On this snowy day he had 12 stops to make. Most meal recipients greet him with a smile and a "thank you." A few stops take a little longer than others.
"Some people want to talk a while, especially one lady who is probably lonely," Schwanemann said, adding that he is only to happy to chat a bit despite the need to rush to make sure meals yet to be delivered stay warm.
The Damariscotta-based center has 24 volunteer drivers working shifts of six drivers per day covering most of Lincoln County. Outlying towns, such as Jefferson, receive deliveries one day a week and in addition to the hot meal of the day, recipients get five frozen meals and five bags of milk and juice to see them through the week. Today’s meal is tuna noodle casserole.
Volunteers also deliver storm packs to be used on days when delivers can’t be made because of bad weather conditions. The packs include frozen or dry food.
"We want to get the word out about the program because we know there are some underserved areas," Maginn said. "There are people out there who qualify for meals and perhaps don’t realize they do."
Age is not a factor, Maginn said, although most recipients are elderly. They only need to be housebound and unable to prepare their own meals. "We have people now who are under 50."
Special meals are prepared for people such as diabetics. There is no charge, but only a "suggested donation" should a recipient be able to pay something to help cover program costs.
The meals are made in Hallowell and delivered in bulk to the Damariscotta center by Larry Wilson of Randolph. Then the food is divided into individual serving packets and put into hot and cold containers.
For more information, call Senior Generations at 563-1363 or contact Maginn at
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