Published: March 29, 2008 10:08 am            

Panhandle Nutrition an important service

Bertha Lockhart has had three back surgeries and now, it is just too painful to stand and prepare a healthy meal.

She does not know how she would do it without the help of Panhandle Nutrition and volunteers like Betty Latta, who bring her hot, health meals five days a week.

“They are just so great and having them come is just such a nice break in the day,” Lockhart said Friday as she took her meal for the day.

Friday, already anticipating the delivery, Lockhart stood with her brilliant red robe and hair just so, ready to open the door. With the normal Woodward hospitality, she graciously welcomed her guests into her well kept home. Tina, her Chihuahua, yipped a greeting to anyone who entered.

Panhandle Nutrition is rolling out a campaign to raise awareness of the program, for not just those who need meals like Lockhart, but also to encourage those who can drive, to volunteer, said Panhandle Nutrition outreach worker, Elise Solloway.

“Right now, we have people who are on a waiting list to receive meals, but we cannot get them started without more volunteers,” Solloway said.

That means, there are several “Bertha Lockharts” out there who need meals, need to have someone who cares enough to drive to their home, knock on the door and deliver a hot meal, who are still waiting.

The program is somewhat akin to a much known name, Meals on Wheels, but is funded in part by the Oklahoma Economic Development Authority OEDA)/Area Agency on Aging. The meals are cooked on site at the Woodward Senior Center and are carried into other communities in the northwestern Oklahoma panhandle area such as Gage and Arnett, Solloway said. A donation of $2.50 is requested but not required. “Some people cannot afford the $2.50,” Solloway said. “I have one lady who gives me a few coins every time I come and sometimes, she is able to give me the whole $2.50,” Solloway said.

Volunteer drivers take the meals to eligible adults who are over 60-years-old or have a qualifying disability .

For instance, Monarae Sumner has just had cardiac surgery at St. Mary’s in Enid. She said her nurse there suggested she contact Panhandle Nutrition to receive meals.

“Oh, these people are my life saver,” Sumner said. “I just do not know what I would do without them coming and bringing these meals. They are just great and so wonderful.”

Panhandle Nutrition volunteer, Betty Latta, feels fortunate to have the vehicle and time to offer others. If you ask Latta, she could probably update you on the family events of nearly all those she stops and leaves a meal with.

Perhaps that is the best food she offers, food for the soul.

“I do it because it just means so much to them,” Latta said Friday, as she hiked to another door with a meal. “Each one of them remembers you and sometimes, you are the only person they see all day.”

Indeed, both Meals on Wheels and Panhandle Nutrition could not function without their volunteers who take the time, five days a week, to take meals to those who might be unable to make meals and don’t have anyone to cook for them.

This week, Meals on Wheels, now operating in Woodward for more than 30 years, offered its first benefit to honor its volunteer drivers.

Rosie Frech has been driving since the program began in the adjunct Senior Center that then was the Christian Church. Frech, among others was honored at a special banquet held at the Senior center Thursday night.

Meals on Wheels Chairman of the Board, Darrell Johnson lauded the efforts of volunteers in these types of programs this week at the banquet honoring his Meals on Wheels volunteers and workers.

“When you show up at the door for these people, you are a light to them,” he said.

He also told a fictitious story that illustrated the volunteer’s commitment:

“There was a man who died and got to see both Heaven and Hell,” Johnson said. “When he saw Hell, there was a huge banquet table full of all kinds of wonderful food, but everyone was emaciated and starving.”

Johnson said the fellow asked why everyone was starving with all the food there, and the officials of Hell told him that they were permitted to eat but had to do so with five foot long chop-sticks, and of course they could not make the food meet their mouths and so were starving.

He said the fellow went to see Heaven and again, there was a beautiful banquet table but everyone there was well fed and happy.

Johnson said the man asked “Do they not have to use five foot chopsticks here?”

The officials of Heaven answered- “Yes, they do have to, but here, we have learned to use the chopsticks to feed each other.”

For information about how to register to get meals delivered or how to volunteer, call Elise Solloway 580-254-2389.

        

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