Wheeling Township thanks volunteers for making a difference
April is National Volunteer Month, and Wheeling Township would like to recognize the hundreds of volunteers who continue to provide vital services to fellow residents throughout the year. Thousands of hours were donated by volunteers during the township’s Fiscal Year, March 1, 2023 to Feb. 29, 2024, in the Food Pantry, assisting other seniors with Medicare questions, or delivering food to homebound residents through the Home Delivered Meal Program.
“We live in a vibrant, generous community,” said Wheeling Township Supervisor Kathleen Penner. “The many volunteers who give so freely of their time and exhibit compassion for others makes a huge difference to so many residents in this township. Thanks to their dedication, we can positively impact the community even more, and they, in turn, also benefit by giving back.”
Two of the township’s programs that utilize the largest number of volunteers are the Food Pantry and the Home Delivered Meal Program.
Food Pantry: Nearly 50 volunteers assist residents with shopping, bagging groceries, sorting donations and stocking shelves.
Julie Villarreal, director of General Assistance, said: “Our Food Pantry couldn’t run without our volunteer ‘crew.’ They provided 4,817 hours of service to help our pantry run. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication.”
During Fiscal Year 2023-2024, Wheeling Township’s Food Pantry fed 12,518 people. Those receiving food included 2,959 children under the age of 18 (23% of total) and 5,286 seniors (43% of total). Food Pantry volunteers commit to a three-hour shift every week during one of the 11 weekly shifts, which includes a morning and afternoon shift every day, and a midday swing shift on Wednesday.
Home Delivered Meal Program (HDM): During Fiscal Year 2023-2024, 12,378 meals were delivered by volunteers to homebound seniors over 60 years of age, as well as to disabled individuals over the age of 18. Freshly prepared meals are delivered five days a week, even on holidays. The HDM program works with 350 year-round volunteers from the community, as well as 25 local houses of worship that deliver during an assigned month. The vast majority of volunteers are seniors over 65, and they contributed more than 3,600 hours of time which helped to ensure the program was successful.
Other Wheeling Township programs that utilize volunteers during 2023-2024 fiscal year include: The AARP Tax-Aide Program where volunteers prepare residents’ taxes, SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) volunteers, who provide valuable Medicare information and assistance, and the Senior Advisory Board, comprised of senior volunteers who represent the township.
For information about the township’s Home Delivered Meal Program or other Senior Services, contact director of Senior/Disability Services, Lynndah Lahey, at llahey@wheelingtownship.com.
For information about the township’s Food Pantry or General Assistance Programs, contact director of General Assistance, Julie Villarreal, at jvillarreal@wheelingtownship.com.
Both can be reached by calling the township directly at (847) 259-7730.
Through its dedication to providing services to residents, whether by helping them maintain their independence, sustain their health, or by offering critical assistance during times of need, Wheeling Township continues to make a significant difference in the community … as it has since 1850.
For information, visit wheelingtownship.com.