STROUDSBURG – Some people spent their Christmas Eve morning helping seniors in our area.
Monroe County’s Meals on Wheels is asking for even more volunteers during this season of giving.
Loading up the car with coolers, volunteers young and old are helping bring food to seniors this Christmas here in the Poconos.
Pat Michael and her grandson teamed up to help Meals on Wheels of Monroe County.
“There are a lot of shut-ins and people who can’t get out, so we’re just spreading a little cheer. I thought bringing him along would lighten their day,” said Pat Michael of Tannersville.
“What’s your job today?” Newswatch 16 asked 9-year-old Graiden Niering.
“The directions,” he said.
Nearly 200 seniors get meal assistance from this program in the Poconos, including Ruth Grape of Stroud Township.
“I don’t feel comfortable enough to go to the supermarket and get the food and do it,” said Grape.
This nonprofit that feeds so many is facing a serious problem.
“We have a waiting list of over 60 people who is extraordinary, and they’re in the pockets of Monroe County that are more difficult to deliver to which is up in Pocono Summit, Tobyhanna and over in the West End,” said Heidi Fareri of Monroe County Meals on Wheels.
In order to add more routes in Monroe County and reach the dozens of seniors on that waiting list, Meals on Wheels is in desperate need of more volunteers.
In the meantime, Subaru’s Share the Love event has helped pay for a temporary fix.
“We’re trying to come up with a temporary measure which is to deliver 10 frozen meals once a week.We can get enough volunteers to do that,” said Fareri.
Longtime volunteers say giving of your time is more rewarding than you may think.
“It’s very worthwhile. These people really do appreciate the fact that we do deliver their food,” said Harry Lewis of Stroudsburg.
“No words to say thank you, there’s no words possible,” said Grape.
You can reach Meals on Wheels in Monroe County at 570-424-8794.
