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Reed visits area to support Meals on Wheels

If you live along Lake Erie from Portland to Irving, 180 of your neighbors are receiving a meal from Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels every day. In the month of March, the program that helps seniors stay independent by delivering a nutritious meal is celebrated during the March 4 Meals.

Congressman Tom Reed (R-District 23) showed his support by meeting volunteers and a Meals on Wheels client recently.

“More than ever I think we need to draw attention to the programs our clientele depend on because there is so much uncertainty with funds. I wanted Tom Reed to meet a client so that he could see what it means to a client not to be able to get out, shop, or even stand long enough to cook a meal. I’m not just talking about our program, but home care and others too,” Executive Director Deb Pacos said.

Meals on Wheels serves seniors in a preventative manner too, but those under 60 must pay out of pocket or through their insurance. Pacos said she hears many stories where insurance companies refuse to pay for the meals, leaving clients with few options.

“The foundation for good health is a nutritious diet.

When left to their own devices, seniors who are unable to cook will reach for what is convenient, whether that’s cookies or chips. They may not be getting the building blocks of a healthy diet. For a lot of illnesses, diet goes a long way to helping. For the price of one day in a hospital, you can get one year of meals,” she added.

Pacos said Meals on Wheels also provides important socialization for clients who may not see anyone else during the week.

“I get a satisfaction from helping and sometimes I’m the only person they see,” long time volunteer deliverer Joanne Kelley said. “This is a wonderful program and some of our clients are the most vulnerable. That’s why I wanted to see Tom Reed. I know he’s a supporter of Meals on Wheels, but he seems to have different priorities on other programs like health care and others.”

Reed interacted with volunteers and asked questions about programs, including the mobile food pantry, book mobile and the Dine Well after-hospital meal program. He said his mother, who used to volunteer for Meals on Wheels, taught him the value of the program.

Reed then visited with MOW client Charlie St. George, a World War II Navy veteran and former mayor of Fredonia.

St. George asked Reed why Veterans Administration benefits cannot be extended to home care.

“I want you to tell Congress people that people want to stay at home, but they need a little help,” he said.

Reed said he is working on it.

“I was on the floor of the House yesterday and this is so much better,” he said as he leaned in to hear St. George’s stories of his time on the USS Alaska.

“I love being here in the community, outside D.C., talking to people who are making a difference,” Reed added, saying the frontline information makes a difference back in Washington.

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