For years, the Meals on Wheels organizations in Washtenaw County have provided hot meals to those in need on Thanksgiving Day. And this year will not be an exception.
Ypsilanti's Meals on Wheels will make between 150 and 175 deliveries. That's nearly 50 more than last year.
Alison Foreman is the executive director.
"We're finding more and more of our clients are homebound and unable to get out of their home, and it's a challenge for their families sometimes to get them out of the home."
Most of the people getting meals are between 80 and 85 years old. Foreman added that an all-volunteer crew will deliver the meals.
"We have around 18-20 groups or families that come out and help support that."
Volunteers also help deliver 180 meals for the Ann Arbor Meals on Wheels group. They too have seen an increase of more than 30 people in need from last year for similar reasons.
Beth Adams is the executive director.
"It's not just about delivering a nutritious meal--that's certainly a big part of what we do. But it's also about that social connection. And I think, you know, regardless of the culture that we grew up in, Thanksgiving--especially American Thanksgiving--is about being with other people, and, for a lot of our customers, they don't have family or other people that they'll be spending the holiday with. And, so, this is just, you know, just a bit of delicious food and bright cheer brought by a smiling face."
Both groups will also deliver hot meals on Christmas Day. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the organizations.
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— Jorge Avellan is a reporter for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him javellan@emich.edu
