Cold Lake FCSS offers meals on wheels to residents in need
Available Monday to Friday, the program ensures that a hot meal is delivered to clients' homes by friendly volunteer drivers. There are no deliveries on statutory holidays or during severe weather conditions.
“The Meals on Wheels program has run for 30+ years in Cold Lake, initially being run out of the Cold Lake Hospital with their kitchen staff preparing the meals,” says Kim Schmidtz, manager for Cold Lake and District FCSS.
“Over the years, shifting responsibilities for the program saw it move back and forth between the Cold Lake Seniors Society and Lakewood FCSS, finally shifting to Cold Lake and District FCSS in 2017.”
According to FCSS, meals are professionally prepared in kitchens that cater to the dietary needs of clients. Each meal costs $12 and is billed directly to the client or their point of contact, ensuring that volunteers do not handle any payments.
Meals are packed in microwave-safe containers, labeled with the client's name, and ready for easy reheating. Volunteers pick up the meals at 11:15 a.m., with deliveries following shortly after, depending on the day's schedule and the number of deliveries.
Anyone in need can benefit from the program.
“Anyone of age who faces difficulty purchasing or preparing meals either through illness, recent hospitalization, disability, poor facilities, or poor nutrition,” can benefit from the program, according to Cold Lake and District FCSS.
Volunteer effort
Eric Martineau, a dedicated volunteer with FCSS since 2020, shares his perspective on the program.
“I enjoy it, I really like it,” he says. “There's a lot of people that aren't able to get out and, to be able to shop and go get groceries. A lot of them are disabled or older people. I enjoy just being able to bring a little bit of something to their homes. And they really appreciate it and I really like doing it."
Martineau adds, “Right now I've been putting a little extra time because some of the volunteers are on holidays... so I'm back logging, filling in for them while they're gone. I'm retired, so it's not like I have a big schedule in front of me or anything. So, if they want a day off, I'll backup them and vice versa.”
The program not only provides meals but also fosters social interaction.
“They're home usually when I get there so they like to have a little chit chat you know, ‘how's everything going?’ which makes them feel good too... The ones I do go to, they're mostly all single, they've lost their other half, so they're lonely too... So they can get a chance to speak a couple of minutes, and they like to, and I give them the time.”
Support for those who need it
“The MoW program supports individuals recovering from illness, it increases social interaction thereby reducing isolation, as well as supports individuals who may be immunocompromised by reducing their exposure,” explains Schmidtz.
She emphasizes the importance of volunteers in the program’s success.
“Volunteers are the backbone of the success of this program,” adding, “Volunteers willingly participate in our program and deliver the meals to the clients of the service with a warm and friendly demeanor.”
Reflecting on his experience as a volunteer, Martineau says, “We just hope that maybe some more people will give us some of their time to come and help out. It's a good feeling once you start doing it.”
Chantel Downes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeland This Week
