Meals on Wheels: new management, expanded services

livered, nutritionally balanced and freshly prepared meals for individuals who are homebound and unable to shop and cook for themselves. All meals are subsidized by MOWLB through donor support. The daily fee is $9.75. Clients receive a hot dinner, cold lunch, dessert and beverage— all made fresh that morning and ready to eat. For those who cannot afford the fee, financial assistance is available.

at https://mowlb.org/volunteerssignup.php/

• If you would like to donate, go to www.lakewoodcity.org/DonateMoW. All donations made through the city website will be directed specifically towards serving Lakewood residents in the program. ♦

Starting Feb. 6, Meals on Wheels service in Lakewood will transition to be managed by Meals on Wheels of Long Beach. There will be no interruption in service for Lakewood’s existing clients, and it is expected that nearly all volunteers who currently support the program will continue delivering meals and a friendly visit to Lakewood residents.

Lakewood Meals on Wheels has been a small non-profit organization, with traditionally just one paid staff person and limited resources, which made it difficult to sustain financially.

Meals on Wheels of Long Beach (MOWLB) is a larger entity with ten paid staff members, an excellent reputation for service, and a more secure, long-term financial future, supported by a $1.5 million annual budget.

MOWLB provides service not just to the residents of Long Beach but also to the residents of Signal Hill and Leisure World of Seal Beach.

“We are excited to now also serve the residents of Lakewood,” said MOWLB Executive Director Bill Cruikshank. “We will continue to operate the program out of the Burns Community Center on Clark Avenue, which has been the tradition in Lakewood for many years. And we are also excited to hopefully have every Lakewood volunteer continue to work with the program.”

MOWLB provides home-de-

While the majority of Meals on Wheels clients are elderly, services are available regardless of age. Referrals are taken from hospital staff, social workers, religious leaders, other clients, family or friends.

Additionally, MOWLB is supported by over 300 community volunteers each week who assist with meal packaging, deliveries and the “Friendly Visitor” program that is critical to clients’ well-being.

Because of MOWLB’s longstanding relationships and connections throughout the region, they will also be able to offer some new services to Lakewood clients.

That includes a Client Support Program which offers in-home extended visits, in-home client assessments, and connections to in-home services such as house cleaning, readers and caregiving. These additional services are possible through sustained partnerships with CSU Long Beach School of Nursing and Pathways Care Navigation Program.

“These are supportive services beyond just meals that can be very valuable as people age and can enable them to continue to live comfortably and safely in their own homes,” said Cruikshank.

How can you get involved?

• If you or someone you know might benefit from Meals on Wheels, contact them at 562-4395000 ext. 1 or visit their website at https://mowlb.org/

• Volunteers are always welcomed. If you would like to volunteer, contact MOWLB at 562-4395000 ext. 5 to discuss your interest and availability or complete a volunteer application online