The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
For a number of elderly people, simple tasks that many of us take for granted are difficult if not impossible. In some cases, their very health and well-being may be at stake. That's why Meals on Wheels is such an important community service in the eyes of Brenda Veitch, coordinator of Volunteer Services for the Nor-Man Regional Health Authority, which operates the program. "It offers a really good meal to people in the community who may not get a good meal on their own," she said, "or sometimes if you're all alone, it's hard to prepare something like a roast beef dinner for yourself." About 16 Flin Flonners, primarily elderly people, rely on Meals on Wheels up to six times per week for a good square meal at a nominal fee. For years, volunteers have been delivering the hot meals, which include soup, salad, a main course and a tempting dessert, to the homes of people who require them. The meals are prepared at the Flin Flon General Hospital kitchen and distributed by volunteers beginning at 11:45 a.m. Monday to Saturday. As important as it is, Meals on Wheels doesn't seem to get much attention in the community, which leaves Veitch worried that some people who might need the service simply aren't aware help is available. "I wonder what the awareness is because it seems like we could be getting more people who are in need of the program," she said. Like so many other community services, the key component of Meals on Wheels is its volunteers, who use their own vehicles to deliver the meals each day. "The people who receive the meals are very grateful for the program and very grateful for the volunteers who deliver the meals," said Veitch. "They have a lot to say for the volunteers, and I have a lot to say for them, too." Aside from individual volunteers, 11 local organizations see it as their duty to help the program. They are: Catholic Women's League; Creighton Community School; Elks Club; Evergreen Rebekah Lodge; Independent Order of Oddfellows; Lutheran Ladies; Masonic Lodge; Nor-Man Regional Health Auxiliary; North of 53 Shrine Club; North Star Rebekah Lodge; and Royal Canadian Legion. "It's a big undertaking for these groups," commented Veitch. Anyone who requires Meals on Wheels or who would like to volunteer to deliver meals may contact Brenda at 687-9315.
