Drastic changes across the country have caused many meal delivery programs to be kicked to the curb in

place of boxed meals delivered on the doorstep in packages that are heavy, hard-to-open and filled with meals that are frozen. That leaves no one to check on the homebound individual, no one to help open a jar of peanut butter or change a light bulb, no one to make sure the heat is working or that there isn’t a gas leak.
“Most importantly, there is no one to make sure your family member has not fallen. That is not acceptable. We care about our neighbors,” said Kelly Heyn, Fresh Meals On Wheels of Sheboygan County CEO.
In an effort to advocate for the homebound, disabled and elderly, a crew of 10 from Fresh Meals On Wheels of Sheboygan County (MOW) attended the National Meals on Wheels America Conference earlier this month -- a contingent of such size from one program has never before been seen at a Meals on Wheels national event.
The expenses were incurred by one insightful, anonymous benefactor who saw the importance of continuing to build a meal program in Sheboygan County that stands at the forefront of defeating hunger and isolation among the elderly and homebound. The designated funds allowed MOW board and staff to gather all relevant intelligence in order to better serve senior and homebound residents.
Data shared at the convention proves that people who receive Meals On Wheels are healthier, less lonely and have a better quality of life.
In Wisconsin 299,244 seniors are isolated/living alone, 113,289 are threatened by hunger and 314,974 have difficulty paying for basic living needs. Of those surveyed 83 percent say that Meals On Wheels improves their health and 87 percent say that it helps them feel more independent and secure.
It’s a win-win for families and health insurance companies, Heyn said. It costs less to feed a senior Meals On Wheels at home for a year than it does for one day of care in the hospital.
She continued: “This kind of service cannot be replaced by a box dropped on a doorstep. Fresh Meals On Wheels of Sheboygan County is more than a meal and we are here to partner with our neighbors to make a difference in the lives of those in our community.”
By sending eight board members to the conference, in addition to two staff, Sheboygan is better poised to manage the significant changes coming to meal programs nationwide.
“It was a very productive week,” said Gerry Van De Kreeke, MOW board president. “Each of us took away items that we can use to better our staff, board members and volunteers. It was also great to see how we look compared to other programs across the country. What we have here in Sheboygan stands out above the crowd.”
MOW is one of the few Meals on Wheels programs across the country that does not have a waiting list
“Sheboygan has a terrific program. You do so much so well. Your gardens and fresh meals obviously is a major stand-out,” said Keith Greene, Meals on Wheels America chief membership officer.
“Having a group similar to what Sheboygan brought (to the national conference) informs and educates the board about the future direction of the Meals on Wheels movement, the successes that have been occurring and the challenges and opportunities the sector faces,” Greene said.
Regular home visits by volunteers are the cornerstone of MOW and over the years countless lives have been saved, said Heyn. Whether it was because someone had fallen and couldn’t get up, or another health emergency, MOW volunteers have made big differences.

Heyn feels confident that by board members attending the conference there is a better understanding of what needs to be done in order to enhance the MOW program.
“The value of a human life does not change as an individual ages. Everyone deserves a warm meal and a friendly visit,” Heyn said.
For more information about Fresh Meals On Wheels of Sheboygan County, or to schedule a Thursday tour, please visit www.freshmealsonwheels.org or call 920-451-7011.
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