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It’s been around for nearly 50 years, but many Winchester residents either don’t know about it or mistake it for another similar program.
And that sometimes makes the mission of reaching out to those in need or finding volunteers to drive and drop off meals a bit more difficult for Winchester Meals on Wheels (WMoW).
WMoW President Paula Michienzi said the organization started in 1979 when a group of residents realized people were being turned away because they were just over the government criteria to receive the service.
Partnering with En Ka, those residents then collaborated with Winchester Hospital to both find a way to fund and provide the needed meals.
Michienzi said WMoW charges a $5 per meal fee and services just Winchester residents. Unlike the Minuteman Senior Services program, WMoW has no age restriction, asks for no insurance and doesn’t judge based on income.
“We service everyone,” Michienzi said. “We’ve had new moms, seniors, people who are immobile who can’t cook, people who are need a bit of help because they’re post-surgical, people who just need a little bit of help.”
The organization currently services 23 clients in Winchester. The approximately 100 drivers are all volunteers.
Heidi Dix, who serves as vice president, was one of those drivers. It was her neighbor, who was also a driver, that suggested she join.
Dix said it’s easy to sign up and volunteer. While drivers to have to undergo a CORI check, the actual job is pretty easy.
She said drivers pick up meals at Winchester Hospital, where meals coordinator Mike Toomey, has them ready. Drivers then take one of two routes and make their deliveries for the day.
Both Dix and Michienzi, who was also a driver at one point, said it’s up to the volunteer how much time they want to put in.
“Any amount of time is fine,” Michienzi said. “You can do it once a week or once a month. You really can do as much or as little as you want. We’re always looking for more drivers.”
But drivers have to be at least 18 years old. Michienzi said if students want to volunteer, they must be accompanied by a parent on their runs.
Dix said potential clients often call or check in via the WMoW website. Some email or a family member might reach out.
She said the process to get on the meals list is pretty easy: she calls to get more information, such as emergency contacts, delivery instructions or dietary issues. In one to two days, residents are on the route.
Meals are delivered between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. Hot meals include a protein, starch and vegetables while cold meals may include a sandwich with fruit and salad. All meals include milk.
Dix said dietary issues or allergies can be accommodated.
Why do it?
Michienzi has been a member of En Ka since 2009. When she found out about the WMoW, she jumped at the chance to join the program.
“I loved their mission,” she said. “I loved helping residents.”
Both women have pretty much done everything at the organization and now sit on the Board of Directors. Michienzi said there are currently eight board members, but of course, they’re always looking for more people.
“This is my passion project,” Michienzi said. “I started on the board in 2012 and I knew that this was something more than just driving.”
It’s about the clients, both women say.
“We had one client who lived to be 99,” Michienzi said. “She would tell us stories about her history and she was appreciative of our mission and our town.
“It’s really about the interaction with our clients for me,” she continued. “I got more out of it than they did. It was always such a great feeling. They said they appreciated me, but I said I appreciated them. It was mutual admiration.”
Michienzi said the visits don’t only brighten up a client’s day, but are also a wellness check.
“For many of our clients, this might be the only check in they get during the day,” she said. “It’s also important that people receive a nutritional meal.”
There are often letters and notes from family members, Michienzi said, especially if a client has passed.
“We hear that it made an impact,” she said. “That’s why we do what we do. We love these people like they’re family.”
But all that work isn’t free. WMoW Treasurer Sharon Solomon said the organization is a nonprofit and is always looking for donations to keep the program running.
She said she started when Michienzi advertised the need for a treasurer on Facebook. The two were longtime friends, but Solomon had other volunteer work in Winchester.
“A few weeks later, she posted it again,” she said. “That’s when I called her and volunteered.”
Solomon has also done her share of driving and meal deliveries. She said you meet a lot of really great people.
“I felt like I got to understand what was going on with our clients,” Solomon said. “I just love it. People always tell you how happy they are to have this.”
What they need from you
“The tagline: donations!” said Solomon when asked what the group needs most. “We could always use more donations.”
She added that getting the word out is also important.
“We can provide people with their meals,” she said. “We would love to have more clients and let people know that we’re here and we’re different from Minuteman.”
And that it’s all about Winchester residents, Dix added.
“We exist and we can help whoever needs that help,” she said. “It can be temporary, like one client who had just gotten out of the hospital and needed us for only two or three weeks. And, we have clients who have been with us for six or more years.”
That’s the main point, Solomon said.
“We’re here and we have no age range or time span,” she said.
Michienzi said the organization can really use all the help anyone wants to provide, whether it’s volunteers who want to drive or be on the board or people who want to be on the client list.
But the bottom line, she said, is always serving the people who need it.
“They enjoy us and we enjoy them,” Michienzi said. “And before you know it, a friendship has formed.”
For more information about the Winchester Meals on Wheels program, to become a client or volunteer, click here.
Nell Escobar Coakley has been a journalist for more than 30 years. She is co-founder and editor-in-chief of Gotta Know Medford and editor of Winchester News. She can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
