Volunteers Play Key Role for Wheeling Township Food Pantry, Senior Programs
To highlight National Volunteer Month, which was held during the month of April, Wheeling Township is recognizing all of the volunteers that are vital to their operations on a yearly basis. Over roughly the last year, 6,834 volunteer hours were donated by hundreds of volunteers assisting with senior programs, and 4,227 volunteer hours were completed at the Food Pantry, for a total of 11,061 service hours in Wheeling Township.
"I think what's important about volunteerism is that any volunteer project serves more than one audience," said Director of Senior/Disability Services Lynndah Lahey. "Not only does a project benefit a recipient, but the volunteers also benefit. These opportunities provide an outlet of service for those who want to help."
Two of the Township's offerings that include the largest number of volunteers are the Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels.
Food Pantry
Over the last year, the Wheeling Township Food Pantry has had 5,343 visits, feeding 11,912 people, 3,229 of which were children. The Food Pantry has a 'client choice' model that allows residents to 'shop' and choose items that best fit their family's needs. Food Pantry volunteers commit to working a 3-hour shift every week during one of the 11 weekly shifts, which includes a morning and afternoon shift every day, and a mid-day swing shift on Wednesday.
The Food Pantry crew consists of 41 volunteers who worked more than 4,200 hours over the last year. Volunteers assist residents with shopping, act as cashiers to help bag groceries, sort donations and stock shelves. Some volunteers pick up bread from Mariano's and deliver it to the pantry on a weekly basis.
According to the Director of General Assistance Julie Villarreal, the Food Pantry could not run without the volunteer crew, because no tax dollars are utilized for its operation.
The vast majority of food donations come from private citizens, churches and community groups such as Rotary Clubs, Girl and Boy Scout troops, schools and others. Food purchases from the Greater Chicago Food Depository are paid for by monetary donations from the community, and cost pennies on the dollar.
Meals on Wheels
Next to transportation services, Meals on Wheels (MOW) is the Township's largest program. More than 13,179 meals were delivered over the last year to homebound seniors over the age of 60, and individuals who are disabled, by several hundred dedicated community volunteers. Fresh, hot meals are delivered five days a week, even on holidays, and are paid for by the resident. While the key focus of this program is to ensure residents receive nutritious meals, the meal delivery also serves as a 'visual check' of the client. The MOW program has 350+ year-round volunteers from the community, as well as 26 local churches.
Other Volunteer Services Provided by Wheeling Township Which Utilize Volunteers:
• Tax return preparation
• Assistance navigating Medicare and all of its requirements
• Benefit access
• Safe driving classes for seniors
• Support groups
• Guest speakers
• Seasonal giving
• Friendly Visitors/Caring Callers
• Make a Difference Day for disabled children
Each year, Wheeling Township honors and recognizes its donors and volunteers at a celebration luncheon, which will be held in mid-May, where awards will be given to the Outstanding MOW volunteer, MOW Substitute Driver, Friendly Visitor, Outstanding Donor and Food Pantry Volunteer.
At the Wheeling Township Town Hall meeting on April 10, 2018, the Senior & Disability Services Department recognized three outstanding Township volunteers. Among them were Julie Wright, Jack DeCarlo and Adelore 'Slim' Petrie, all of whom have provided the community with decades of service and are volunteer teachers of senior driving-related programs.
Wheeling Township would like to thank all of its volunteers for their continued dedication and service.
For more information about Meals on Wheels, contact Director of Senior/Disability Services Lynndah Lahey at llahey@wheelingtownship.com. For more information about the Township's Food Pantry, contact Director of General Assistance Julie Villarreal at jvillarreal@wheelingtownship.com. Both can be reached by calling the Township directly at 847-259-7730.