Dear Friends,
As our lives continue to change, we all know we must be more flexible so we can adapt to the new normal. At Meals on Wheels Diablo Region,
that means analyzing the services we provide to protect the health and safety of those most at risk for Covid-19.
If there is any learning from this pandemic,
it is that there is a renewed awareness of the struggles seniors face every day. Many seniors face isolation and loneliness as well as food insecurity, and at MOW Diablo Region we have seen the increase in need for our services as a result of the shelter-at-home order.
No organization can do this work alone.
I am happy to share some of the successful partnerships over the past month that have allowed MOW Diablo Region to care for our vulnerable seniors.
Sincerely,
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Caitlin Sly
Executive Director
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The Travis Credit Union Foundation’s
Community Funding Initiative is Challenging
MOW Diablo Region to Raise $20,000
New Grocery Bag Program Started
Meals on Wheels Diablo Region Provides Lifeline to Seniors During Pandemic
Fall Prevention Program in the Pandemic
Diablo League Boys Team Charity Organization Deliver Yard Signs to Volunteers
Getting to Know Her Neighbors
Join the Fan Club
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CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
The Travis Credit Union Foundation’s
Community Funding Initiative is Challenging
MOW Diablo Region to Raise $20,000
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It’s during times like these that nonprofits like Meals on Wheels
Diablo Region rely on help from the community. With anticipated cuts in government funding on the horizon,
it’s even more crucial. The Travis Credit Union Foundation’s Community Funding Initiative is challenging us to raise up to $20,000 that they will generously match dollar-for-dollar! The seniors we serve have lived through wars, a depression, and now the pandemic…so now it’s our turn to support them. That’s why we are asking for your help!
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To donate, visit the Community
Funding Page on the Travis Credit
When viewing the drop-down menu, you’ll see many Meals on Wheels to choose from. Please choose Meals on Wheels Diablo Region – we are a non-county, independent nonprofit and the only Meals on Wheels that delivers both meals and services in the entire county!
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Meals on Wheels Diablo Region is partnering with the Food Bank of
Contra Costa and Solano to reduce hunger among seniors in the Diablo Region. The Grocery Bag Program is a pilot program that delivers healthy groceries and fresh produce twice a month to homebound seniors who can cook simple meals but are unable to travel to the Food Bank.
By teaming up, the Food Bank and MOW Diablo Region are able to provide more healthy food to seniors by delivering it to
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their homes. The Grocery Bag Program
is already delivering 48 grocery bags twice a month to 12 individual clients
in Oakley, Brentwood, Martinez and Concord. “This pilot program addresses
a problem many seniors face which is being unable to access the food they need,” says Caitlin Sly, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels Diablo Region. “This is especially true during the pandemic.” To learn more about the growth of the pilot Grocery Bag Program email Casey Claibourne at [email protected].
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Meals on Wheels Diablo Region Provides Lifeline to Seniors During Pandemic |
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As a two-time cancer survivor, Katherine understands her responsibility for her health, so she was concerned about being exposed to Covid-19. She knew her immune system had been compromised by her treatment, making her more susceptible to the virus. Katherine had seen recent studies showing cancer patients and survivors are twice as likely to contract the coronavirus. “I was first diagnosed with lung cancer back in 2013,” said Katherine. “I was working part-time and was driving some.”
Unexpectedly, in March Katherine got a call that she had been dreading. “I was told the tumors were back.” After looking over her finances, she decided she needed to give MOW Diablo Region a call. “I was really surprised that I was able to sign up after the pandemic started because all I saw on TV was people in need of food. Honestly, I thought with all the budget cuts that this service didn’t exist anymore.”
Katherine, who recently turned 77,
says MOW Diablo Region has been exceptional. "They contacted me on a Thursday and by the following Monday,
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I was already receiving a meal delivery.” After 137 days of isolation, seeing a
friendly face (even if it’s covered by
a mask) continues to lift her spirits during this difficult time. “I kind of fell into a depression but having someone stop by for a quick chat while dropping off meals definitely helped.”
Katherine praises front-line workers,
like volunteers, who keep this country moving forward. “This has been a lifesaver for me. I’m just thankful Meals on Wheels Diablo Region is there.”
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The Covid-19 pandemic made Meals on Wheels Diablo Region look at creative ways to help our clients, and we had some great ideas when it comes to
home assessments through our Fall Prevention Program. “With Covid, I’m calling clients on the phone and asking more questions,” says Occupational Therapist of 16 years, Heather Argueta. “Keeping people in the home is so important.”
The Occupational Therapists from our Fall Prevention program assess the risk factors seniors live with every day. They look for signs that can contribute to a fall, like a towel rack loose from the wall, which indicates the person is having a hard time getting up out of the bathtub. They also check the entrances and exits of the home to see if any equipment may be needed. “We ask questions like, ‘Do you have difficulty getting out of bed?’
A lot of times we ask them to show us
so we can witness it firsthand.”
Other questions during a home assessment include: do you have an evacuation plan; do you have smoke
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alarms, nightlights; do you have access to
a fire extinguisher and do you know how to use it? “We are there to highlight the risks and make recommendations like placing cooking ingredients on the lower shelf for easier access,” says Heather.
The Fall Prevention program educates our aging clients and their families
to promote senior independence and safety in the home. “We often hear from daughters and sons about their aging parents. Sometimes seniors have a hard time hearing what to do from a family member, but they will take advice from
a knowledgeable source like MOW Diablo Region. We can bridge that conversation between the families,” explains Heather. “Our goal is to keep people safe so they can live a long, happy, and healthy life.” For more information about Meals on Wheels’ Fall Prevention program visit our website at https://www.mowdiabloregion.org/fall-prevention or call 925.937.8311 X-301.
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Diablo League Boys Team Charity Organization Deliver Yard Signs to Volunteers |
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We couldn’t do what we do at Meals
on Wheels Diablo Region without our volunteers. We decided to express our gratitude with the help of Diablo League Boys Team Charity Organization. These young men volunteered to place special “Thank You for Being a Volunteer” yard signs in the front yards of our volunteer drivers. Our volunteers who have been delivering meals during this pandemic were able to show off their hard work
to their neighbors.
Diablo League Boys Team Charity Organization is dedicated to developing an altruistic spirit in young men through active participation of parents and sons in philanthropic projects in their communities. The Diablo Chapter
is comprised of about 65 families.
MOW Diablo Region would also like to thank Diablo Valley Signs who donated the signs, because, according to owner Kevin Griffin, “It’s the least I can do for an organization like Meals on Wheel Diablo Region who does so much for seniors.”
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Getting to Know Her Neighbors |
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When Hilary Holden moved to a new neighborhood in Lafayette, she didn’t ring her neighbor’s doorbells and introduce herself. Instead, she posted
on the neighborhood email chain an invitation to a fundraiser!
Hilary is an Intake Coordinator at Meals on Wheels Diablo Region. Her job requires her to speak with new clients and add them to our meal delivery list. With Covid-19, she says the needs have increased. “Every day, I hear stories from seniors. There is so much need and so much pain, especially with the pandemic.”
Hilary was especially moved by clients who had depended on our C.C. Cafés which offered a hot meal and socialization, both important components to keeping seniors healthy, engaged, and independent. With the closure of the cafés because of Covid-19,
these seniors needed delivered meals. They were also now experiencing isolation. Hilary wanted to make sure that MOW Diablo Region’s café clients were able to have meals delivered, receive a socially distant wellness check from our volunteer drivers, and a phone call from a Friendly Visitor.
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“I thought I’d put the word out to my new community,” says Hilary. “People came by with checks, food and sometimes both. Many people knew about MOW Diablo Region and wanted to support our work. Others weren’t familiar with us but were moved by the work we are doing.”
Hilary held her fundraiser in her driveway and collected many bags
of donated food and personal care
items, as well as 25 checks, totaling
close to $1,500. “I was incredibly pleased with the response and it was a great way to meet my new neighbors!”
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A big thank you to the moms and daughters of the National Charity League, Inc., Walnut Creek Chapter
for helping us with our newsletter mailing. For clients and donors who
do not receive our newsletter electronically, we like to keep them updated by sending the newsletter through the mail. NCL, Walnut Creek Chapter members folded, stuffed
and labeled the newsletters. They also picked them up and dropped them
off at our office!
NCL, Walnut Creek Chapter is a group of mothers and daughters who have come together in a commitment to community service, leadership development and cultural experiences. Like all NCL, Inc. Chapters, Walnut Creek aims to foster the mother-daughter relationship by serving its communities together.
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Laurie Johnston from the National Charity League of Walnut Creek |
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We are in the dog days of summer,
and we need your help keeping our seniors cool! Join our Fan Club and donate a new fan to us to distribute
to our seniors. Donations can be dropped off at our office in Walnut Creek: 1300 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek
any time between 9am and 4pm.
Thanks for helping our seniors stay
cool in this summer heat!
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© Meals on Wheels Diablo Region 2019. All rights reserved.
Meals on Wheels Diablo Region
1300 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek, CA, 94596
United States
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