Seymour organization, Meals on Wheels, spent Wednesday evening recognizing those who deliver nutritious meals to the homebound each week day with a celebration including a meal of their own at Crossroad Community Park.

Seymour Meals on Wheels was incorporated in 1974, providing meals to area residents within a 5-mile radius of downtown with service either short or long term.

The standalone nonprofit agency serves all qualified area residents who are unable to provide themselves with a basic daily diet because of age, health or ability.

The meals are prepared onsite at Schneck Medical Center. Those meals are not just for the elderly, but for anyone who is homebound.

Around 90 volunteers pick up meals between 11:15 and 11:30 a.m. at the hospital each weekday and on major holidays. There are three routes with up to 10 stops each, but board president Jane Norman said they are recruiting for two more potential routes as well as a rural route.

“We are always recruiting for more volunteers,” Norman said.

Drivers are given a notebook containing all information needed, from the customer’s name and address to what to do upon arrival.

Examples of Meals on Wheels clients include an elderly couple who are no longer able to cook or it isn’t safe for them to cook; a spouse has died, and the other has never cooked; or a single person who is going to have surgery and needs assistance during recovery.

Two misconceptions are often that it’s just a senior citizens organization and an organizational part of Schneck.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the organization greatly as some long-time volunteers and board members were lost, but Norman said the organization is in a period of rejuvenation.

Meals on Wheels recently entered a partnership with Sexton Advertising to help with outreach.

“It feels good and to have someone like Sexton Advertising to team up with is real exciting,” she said showing off the new logo the company created for the organization.

Currently, the number of delivered meals have doubled thanks to a partnership with Thrive Alliance to start a senior meal site at Crossroad Apartments, 500 S. Poplar St.

In 2023, Norman said the organization delivered more than 8,000 meals and with an additional 40 clients that number will double.

Norman said a lot of the work they do wouldn’t be possible without Lesley Kendall, nutrition manager at Schneck Medical Center.

“She is one of the finest people to work with,” Norman said. “She is flexible and no matter what she keeps a good attitude.”

Kendall said the volunteer appreciation event was a great opportunity for those who may not see each other often to get to know one another better.

“It’s important we get the word out,” she said. “We have a waiting list of clients and we need a waiting list of volunteers.”

Norman talked about how they pay the nutritional services department at Schneck to prepare the meals, then provide those meals to clients for a charge that is at or below cost, depending on monetary contributions and other entities, such as grants. Norman said with the help they have been receiving the organization is gearing up to apply for grants.

Meals are currently provided for a cost of $4.50 for a single hot meal and $7.50 for both a hot and cold meal.

“The biggest thing for me is outreach,” Norman said. “Eventually we want to reach all of Seymour and I want to work on how we can expand and cover Seymour and Jackson County. Everyone’s number one concern is feeding people that need to be fed.”

Roberta West of Jennings County, has been volunteering for a few weeks and delivers meals with her husband, John.

“I have enjoyed meeting new people and helping deliver the meals to those who need it,” she said. “It’s a wonderful thing in such a small that is not just for older people and I hope it grows.”

Bruce and Doris Jesch of Seymour have been volunteering for 10 years.

“I enjoy seeing a smile on someone’s face when we deliver the meals,” Doris said. “Even if we happen to be running a little late, they are so understanding. We are getting older and I hope it will be around when we need it.”

Martha and Randy Brown, who started volunteering in the 1990’s, and Don and Barb Cummings, who also started volunteering around the same time, enjoy a catered meal together. They all agreed that participating in the organization is rewarding.

Even Mayor Matt Nicholson dropped by to attend the volunteer appreciation picnic at the downtown park, reminiscing on his childhood when his grandmother would have meals delivered to her home.

Nicholson said the state-funded program, Owner-Occupied Rehab program, that the city council backed in 2022 helps low to moderate income homeowners in Seymour who need financial help with home repairs.

“Programs like Owner-Occupied Rehab and Meals on Wheels help people stay in their homes longer, which is huge for the individual and the families.”

This year is the organization’s 50th year serving meals to residents of Seymour and they have some exciting opportunities planned.

Norman said they hope to host a concert at Southern Indiana Center for the Arts where the public will be invited and free-will donations are encouraged. More details on the 50th year celebration will be announced later this summer.