Local program delivering meals to seniors in the community

At 6:30 a.m., the kitchen staff at the North End Community Center senior nutrition program begins preparation for the 1,500 meals delivered weekly to homebound seniors in the community.

Meals on Wheels provides fresh, healthy meals, and community activities allowing seniors to remain social and well-fed while continuing to live at home.

The senior nutrition program includes not only home-delivered meals but also a congregate lunch program where seniors can come in to receive a lunch at the community center.

The home delivery service is the largest if not only program in Yuma County serving over 5,000 meals per month.

“We are to the best of my knowledge, we are the only provider if not the only, we are the largest provider of home-delivered meals throughout Yuma County,” said Mary McClendon, associate director of Catholic Community Services.

The longest round trip adds up to about 172 miles, made once per week, to a homebound citizen in Dateland.

“We want people to age as long as possible in their own home,” said McClendon.

The Meals on Wheels program received funding through the Western Arizona Council of Government as well as help through volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering for the Meals on Wheels program, click here.