Meals on Wheels continues to deliver food to residents in Orleans, Genesee
While the coronavirus continues to disrupt normal life across the country, recipients of Meals on Wheels in Orleans and Genesee counties can rest assured their meal delivery will continue.
Paul Saskowski, director of business services for the Arc of Orleans and Genesee, said the agency has made adjustments, with employees taking things in stride and senior citizens receiving their meals.
He said for the most part the Arc has had no trouble receiving food from its supplier, although he said the supplier has found it more difficult to get food, as the grocery chains are demanding more.
“We had trouble getting one of our whole wheat breads, but we were able to find a suitable substitute,” Saskowski said.
He said drivers are taking extra precautions, wearing gloves, keeping their distance and using hand sanitizer after every delivery. He said Emergency Management Office in both counties have been very helpful, donating hand sanitizer they had in reserve.
Both congregate meal sites in Orleans and Genesee counties were forced to close and five people in Orleans County and 30 in Genesee County, who relied on the meal sites, were transferred to meal delivery.
Saskowski said they have a goal to provide each Meals on Wheels recipient with extra meals, so they have a stockpile of food in their house. To aid with that effort, the Office for the Aging authorized extra emergency meals.
“It is our goal to provide each household with 10 extra meals, in case we are pulled off the road for any reason,” Saskowski said. “We are very close to that goal.”
Saskowski praised his staff, saying their attitude through all of this has been wonderful.
The Arc delivers Meals on Wheels to about 120 homes in each county.
