Delivering More Than a Meal

Since late March, Meals on Wheels clients have received a combination of hot and shelf-stable meals to ensure they don’t go hungry.  Thanks to a partnership with the USDA Farmers to Families Food Box program, our clients have also received fresh produce boxes containing apples, oranges, potatoes, onions, and carrots as well as dried beans. These items, which can stay fresh for up to a month, provide important vitamins, minerals and fiber to our clients’ diets. The deliveries have been a delightful surprise to those receiving the boxes.

“…these produce deliveries are touching their hearts! They’re so happy—makes my heart happy!” – Sandy, Meals on Wheels driver

As the number of COVID-19 cases in Dallas County continues to fluctuate, the need to protect the vulnerable seniors we serve is paramount. Community volunteers are hard at work sewing masks for our hospice patients and Meals on Wheels clients.  Additionally, two community partners have generously donated large quantities of cloth masks and fabric kits to help us reach our goal of providing all 4,600 Meals on Wheels clients with a mask. 

Through the generosity of Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament - Dallas and their mask kit program, we received 1,000 hand-made masks made from their beautiful show fabric. 

Our friends at Vickery Trading Company, an organization dedicated to equipping refugee women for long-term success by providing vocational training, personal development and fair wages, provided 1,000 face masks sewn by their trainees.

Thank you to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament - Dallas, Vickery Trading Company, and our talented volunteers for creating hand-made masks for those who are so vulnerable.

Virtual Deliveries Improve Quality of Life

During Virtual Delivery calls each week, volunteers check on Meals on Wheels clients, remind them to eat their shelf-stable meals, and ask questions related to the client’s quality of life. Utilizing the Mobile Delivery App, volunteers report needs related to personal hygiene products, utility bill assistance, safety in the home and additional food needs.

In the last six weeks, staff have reviewed thousands of volunteer reports, created and delivered hundreds of care packages, and made more than 350 referrals for additional support services.  We have also delivered fans to clients as our Texas temperatures begin to rise.  For clients without air conditioning, fans are often the only option to cool their homes.

You can support our efforts by purchasing needed items on our Amazon Wish List.  For groups wanting to host a toiletry or fan drive, please contact Tracie Demery at demeryt@vnatexas.org

A message from CEO, Katherine Krause

As an organization of caregivers, our mission at VNA is to heal. During these heartbreaking times of misunderstanding, mistrust and loss, our prayer is that we all fiercely work together as a community to build greater understanding, care and respect for each other. Amidst the flood of uncertainty we face daily, our commitment to safely caring for the most vulnerable in our community remains steadfast. We are grateful for your continued support enabling us to fulfill our mission. Wishing you peace and wellness during this time.

Thoughtfully,
Katherine