Holmes County Senior Center levy crucial to sustaining Meals on Wheels program

As the November voting day approaches, one crucial topic on the ballot is the Holmes County Council on Aging, also known as the Darb Snyder Holmes County Senior Center, which will have a small but significant levy on the ballot that could mean the world to seniors if it passes and could pose a major stumbling block for the center should it fail.

The Darb Snyder Holmes County Senior Center has played a critical role in providing for the county’s senior citizens in many ways, one of the most important being the Meals on Wheels program.

According to Tabitha Strouse, senior center chairperson of the board, should this levy not pass, it could lead to some devastating results for area seniors.

Meals on Wheels is important for seniors because it provides more than just food; it supports their health, independence and overall well-being.

Many seniors struggle with cooking or accessing nutritious meals due to mobility issues, chronic illness or limited income. Meals on Wheels delivers balanced, senior-appropriate meals to help maintain proper nutrition and manage health conditions like diabetes or heart disease.

Not only is the food vital, but also the program provides meals directly to their homes, helping seniors live independently longer and delaying or avoiding the need for institutional care, thus protecting their dignity and autonomy.

“It’s good food and good people who work there,” local senior Karen Butler said. “I really need the food. I don’t have a lot of extra money for food.”

In addition, many seniors face loneliness and isolation, especially if they live alone or have limited mobility. The daily meal delivery means a regular visit from a friendly volunteer, something that provides social interaction and emotional support.

Then there is the wellness checks the service provides.

Volunteers often serve as first responders if something is wrong, with many seniors unable to contact first responders following accidents around the home. If a senior doesn’t answer the door, the volunteer can alert emergency contacts or services, and this can provide peace of mind for families and caregivers.

Meals on Wheels continues to be a cost-effective health care prevention plan for seniors who may otherwise struggle. By improving nutrition and reducing isolation, Meals on Wheels helps prevent hospitalizations, malnutrition and falls, thus reducing health care costs significantly.

The seniors have provided insight into the importance the center plays in their everyday lives.

“Weekly visits allow one the opportunity to socialize with other people,” David Weiss said. “The interactions are most pleasurable. The meals are well-balanced and reasonably priced; the food is well-balanced and health-wise superior to fast food.”

Meals on Wheels continues to play a major role in serving Holmes County seniors and keeping them healthy and well-fed.

“Meals on Wheels makes me feel assured that good food will come,” Janet Schlemme said. “That’s a comforting feeling in these troubled days. My delivery person is friendly and helpful, and seeing her pull in is a great feeling. God bless her and you all at the senior center.”

Dale Kauffman said losing Meals on Wheels would be a major disservice to the entire Holmes County senior citizen population. Kauffman said the seniors helped build this county into what it is today through their hard work and by paying taxes.

As seniors age, they begin to struggle with everyday activities that once came easily to them. One of those activities is cooking a good meal.

Laura J. Miller is one such person. While she said she still enjoys cooking in the kitchen when she is able, physical issues with her back and knees prevent her from dedicating the amount of time it takes to make a quality meal at home.

The senior center plays a vital role in delivering healthy meals on a regular basis.

Miller said these meals are an important part of her weekly routine, and she is incredibly grateful to the center and its staff for taking the time to make sure she is not just well-fed, but also safe and healthy.

Karon Cole agreed, noting the Meals on Wheels service helps her so much every week.

“I’m happy, and it helps me out a lot,” Cole said. “The people who bring the food are so sweet too.”

The interaction between recipients of Meals on Wheels and the delivery staff also is a vital part of the service because it provides social interaction seniors may otherwise not get because many utilizing the programs are shut-ins.

Hazel Carpenter has back issues, is unable to stand in one place for long and has become reliant on the use of a cane.

“The senior center’s services are a great help,” Carpenter said. “It’s hard to prepare good meals, and it’s hard to clean up the preparatory area. If not for the senior center’s services, I would have to depend on frozen dinners and already-prepared meals.”

Meals on Wheels is more than a food-delivery service; it’s a lifeline for many older adults, helping them stay healthy, connected and safe in their own homes.