March 1 — When cooking is a real chore, they deliver

A local program keeps Sumner senior citizens healthy and happy by regularly delivering

Andrew Hosford / of the Herald

For a person confined to their home because of a disability or failing health, a meal can be a matter of life and death.

The Senior Nutrition home delivered meals program is working to ease the minds of hungry seniors.

“I’ve had seniors tell me ‘I would die without this service,” said Deryl Slaughter, program coordinator for the home delivered meals program.

Part of the Catholic Community Services, the program serves seniors throughout Pierce County, including Sumner, who are completely homebound.

“Homebound means they do not drive or have (other caregivers) come to the house,” he said.

Clients are re-evaluated every six months but there is no time limit as long as the services are needed.

“We have a few clients that have been in the program for 10 years,” Slaughter said.

Each Tuesday, the delivery van stops in Sumner and surrounding areas to drop off seven well balanced meals to those in need.

A menu of 30 dinner items and five breakfast foods is prepared to cover at least one-third of a senior’s recommended daily allowance, Slaughter said.

Dinners vary from a pork patty served with potatoes, spinach and applesauce to Teriyaki chicken with rice and a Caribbean blend of vegetables. Pancakes, omelettes and scrambled eggs are available for breakfast.

“We try to make sure they get the right nutrition,” said Steph Kendall, a semi-retired social services worker who drives the delivery van four times a week.

Benefits of the program extend beyond a simple meal, though.

Interaction with drivers gives the secluded recipients a something to look forward to each week

“They always enjoy seeing us coming,” she said.

Outside of family, many of the recipients do not get a lot of visitors, she added.

The social interaction ends up being as important as the meal itself.

“I have seen it make a significant difference in lives,” Slaughter said. “It helps them a lot.”

The only expectations of the client are a thank you and a donation of whatever they can afford, he said. Many can barely cover the recommended $2.

“They don’t have to worry about paying,” Kendall said. “It’s strictly by donation.”

She added that there is a need for a program like this in Sumner and she hopes she can continue to help as long as there is demand for a warm meal.

“Overall this program is very positive,” she said.