Meals on Wheels History
Pickens County Meals on Wheels was born out of the community’s concern for its older
neighbors who were in need of a hot, nourishing meal but were unable to provide
it for themselves. In 1979, the Pickens County Service Organization documented the
need, and a community-lead effort was quickly undertaken to begin a Meals on Wheels
program.
Our home-delivered hot meal program is administered by a 15 member volunteer Board
of Directors composed of concerned Pickens County citizens. Pickens County Meals
on Wheels employs a staff of 2.25 which consists of two part-time staff and a full-time
executive director. Since our inception in 1980, Grace United Methodist Church has
donated office space and utilities.
Meals are purchased from two local hospitals and one local caterer. We have grown
from serving 10 individuals initially to serving more than 200 individuals each
weekday. Eligibility is need-based to Pickens County residents, ages 65 years and
older. Meals are served free of charge.
Meals on Wheels contributes to the improved physical health of Pickens County seniors.
Good nutrition is vital to this vulnerable population. Equally important is the
companionship and compassion that comes with each meal delivered to the homebound
elderly. Meals on Wheels enables the elderly to remain at home and maintain their
daily independence.
Pickens County Meals on Wheels volunteers assist recipients who experience critical
health problems that would go unattended otherwise. Our mission statement reflects
the importance of the lifeline our volunteers represent.
Benefits of our program are threefold:
- Health: Our recipients are unable to prepare their own hot meal. They cannot
go to a food pantry because they are essentially homebound. Good nutrition is important
to this fragile population.
- Safety: Volunteers act as a lifeline to our recipients. They call the office if
someone does not answer the door. The office follows up to assure the recipient’s
safety by calling their emergency contacts.
- Emotional and Social: Loneliness is detrimental to good health. Volunteers bring
love and compassion to the people they deliver to. Meals on Wheels positively affects
both recipient and volunteer, and builds community.