Every Thursday afternoon, around 2 p.m. Sheila Hart heads over to the Squamish Helping Hands building, loads up her trolley with ten freshly cooked meals, and delivers them to seniors at Westwinds. The savoury smells of lasagna, steamed vegetables and hot soup, waft through the air as Hart goes floor by floor, chatting with residents and dropping off the meals.
Hart, who has been volunteering with the program for nearly four years, said delivering meals has become part of her weekly routine.
“I can do 10 people in the space of an hour,” Hart said. “You get to know all the people that you deal with.”
Lorraine Meewes, is one of the residents who greets Hart. Meewes has been purchasing the $5 meals twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays, since the program started. She said that getting the meals delivered is not only a big help, but also tastes delicious.
“I find it’s a balanced meal,” Meewes said, “I’ve got arthritis in both my wrists, and my heart is not very good… I find it’s more difficult cooking.”
Meals on Wheels, operated by Squamish Helping Hands under its Under One Roof food program, delivers hot, freshly prepared meals to seniors and vulnerable residents who may have mobility challenges, illness or difficulty preparing nutritious food. The program runs twice weekly and currently serves about 23 people each delivery day. At $5 per meal, organizers say affordability is key, and subsidies are available for those unable to pay.
Nicole Saugstad, the coordinator for Meals on Wheels, takes special care to organize menus with lots of variety. The meals are always made fresh, on the day of delivery, and include a main with vegetables, bread, soup, salad and dessert. There’s so much food in each container, that Saugstad says clients often have leftovers.
“Some people, like couples, will even share one,” Saugstad said.
Margo Wyssen, another client at Westwinds, said the meals are both healthy and filling, and make it easier for her to manage at home.
“They’re very healthy foods, and nice portions,” Wyssen said. “I can’t stand at the counter for very long. It’s a lot of standing and hard work to do that.”
While each delivery follows a set menu to keep costs sustainable, Saugstad said they try to accommodate dietary restrictions, like lactose intolerance or diabetes.
Two sets of four volunteers work to deliver the meals on their set day. Over time, the volunteers get to know each of the clients, which is an important aspect of the program.
“We’re providing hot meals to the seniors, but it’s also about having a connection,” Saugstad said. “A lot of our seniors aren’t able to leave their house ever.”
If a client doesn’t answer the door or something feels unusual, staff follow up with the individual or their family members.
Squamish Helping Hands hopes to expand the program and add more seniors to the delivery route.
Hart said the kitchen staff and volunteers work hard to make the program possible.
“It’s such an amazing organization,” Hart said. “I’ve never seen people work as hard as the people in that kitchen. The food they make is outstanding.”
Those interested in receiving Meals on Wheels deliveries can sign up here.
