Meals on Wheels program undergoes shortage in volunteers and funds

Due to a shortage of funds and drivers, the Meals on Wheels program is unable to increase clientele it serves and frequency of service, a spokeswoman for the program that delivers food to home-bound elderly in Yuma County.

Val Maibaum, with the Senior Nutrition Program in Yuma, said that there are currently eight drivers working for the program, of whom five are volunteers, two are being paid, and one who is actually the facility manager for the program's operation site.

"Ideally we would have more volunteers because now we can't alter schedules or deliver meals more frequently."

The shortage can also result in the program's current drivers having to take on extra routes to ensure every senior receives a meal, according to Maibaum.

Maibaum said a usual driving route should only last two hours. Yet she acknowledged that this can sometimes double when the program is short-staffed.

The program currently sources and delivers food within Yuma as well as Wellton, Somerton, and San Luis, Ariz., among other areas.

Maibaum said that more drivers would be welcome into the program, especially on a volunteer basis since drivers' salaries reduce the amount of funds available for material necessities like food.

"We rely more and more on volunteers especially in times of shortages of funds because funds have to be spent on tangible items," she said.

She added that funding was short because less people were donating and that while their funding sources hadn't changed, the availability of funds had.

Bill Supplee, a volunteer driver and retired city worker, said he works four to six hours a day depending on how long the program needs him.

Supplee has volunteered with the Senior Nutrition Center for 15 years, the last eight of which have included volunteer driving duties.

Supplee says that many of the seniors Meals on Wheels works with don't have telephones or even relatives who will check in on them.

He said that often just telling a joke, singing, or opening someone's mail with them can make a difference to their day and make them feel valued.

"It's a very worthwhile effort. I get to see people in their homes who don't see any people but me day to day," Supplee said. "I've been blessed I've been able to do this."

Volunteers have to go through a process of fingerprinting, tuberculosis testing, food handlers certification, and be willing to meet with senior citizens who may get limited interaction with other people, says Maibaum.

"It's definitely not for everyone," Mailbaum said.

For Supplee, however, an understanding of the cause was reason enough for him to become a long-term volunteer.

"Come ride with us and see what it's like," he said.

To register interest in becoming a Meals on Wheels volunteer driver, contact Catholic Community Services at 690 E. 32nd St.


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Erin Orozco can be reached at eorozco@yumasun.com or 539-6849.