The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

8--The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, February 3, 2004 .ConrnîuniyPg S47LffauerA,e. 878-2881 'Meals on Wheels -its not just for seniors Many people aren't taking advantage of group's service: area representative By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion The lonely shut-in. The busy senior. The person with physical or mental disabilities. What these people have in common is they can ail be found living in Milton - and they're ail eligible for Milton Meals on Wheels services. "Wbat we do is we provide meals for senior citizens, shut-ins and those with physical or mental challenges - anything that might prevent themn from preparing their own meals," said Sbemr Parkinson' assistant to the executive director of Milton Meals on Wheels, which is approaching its 3Oth anniversary. Althougb almost everyone has heard of the non-profit organization, a lot of people don't understand exactly who the service is intended for, Ms Parkinson sald, adding it's important to get the correct information ont so people don't exclude tbemnselves froru somnething that could brighten their days and make them healtbier. "This isn't juat for seniors who're unable to belp themnselves. It's also for the senior on the go who maybe has lots of doctors' appointrments and because of that, misses out on nutrition," Ms Parkinson said, addmng, "Many seniors can manage well, but are skipping nutrition." Cooking a nutritious meal for just one person is sometimes more trouble than it's worth, Ms Parkinson sald, 50 somneting essier and less nutritious is often prepared. She calls these people "tea and toast" sen- iors. Starting mid-moming Monday to, Friday, the Meals on Wheels entrance at Allendale is a busy place. Il's at this seniors' facility that the bot and frozen meals are prepared. Each delivery is made by a volunteer. eEven in the stonn (last week), they ail went ont. We have fabulons volunteers. A lot of them are seniors themnselves," Ms Parkinson sald. Volunteer driver Doreen Ley sald it's rewardmng to know she's helping take away a bit of the loneliness some of the clients have. 1I think of the farmner who's way ont in the country. Every limne I go visit him, he shows me pictures of bis famiùly." "lEven ini the storm (last week), they ai went out. We have fabulous volunteers." Ms Ley has been a volunteer wtth Meals on Wheels for eight years. "When I retired, I wanted to do somne- thing to help my community. I like driving and meeting new people, so I decided this was what I'd do," she said. 'he deliveries cover a wide area, includ- ing Milton's surrounding rural communi- ries. Clients psy for their meals, wbich typ- ically include a salad, entree - usually meat or pasta and fresh vegetables - soup, bread, crackers and dessert. "Somne clients eat the soup and salad for lunch and save the entree for dinner," Ms Parkinson sald. Milton Meals on Wheels also provides frozen meals to be kept on hand or eaten on Saturdays or Sundays, when deliveries don't comne. Frozen meals are particularly bandy to have in thse winîer when seniors and those with physical or mental chal- lenges often can't or don't want to leave their bouses because of the cold and snow. Delivering meals isn't aIl Meals on Wbeels does. There's also its grocery deliv- ery prograin, for seniors who can't get ont to shop theruselves. Ms Parkinson said clients love the fact that a friendly smile and hello comne with each delivery. "I often wonder what's more important - the nutrition or the little hello," she pondered. And families, particularly of the elderly, have an added peace of mind knowing their loved ones are being checked on reg- ularly. Milton Meals on Wbeels also otters a montbly luncheon held in the Loblaws comnmunity room to bring its clients ont of their homes into a more social atmosphere. Transportation is arranged for participants. Although somne are often reluctant to show up the tirst time, it doesn't take long until tbey're regulars with a host of bud- dues, Ms Parkinson sald. Milton Meals on Wbheels serves lunch volunteer o.rv.. a once each week as four local apartruens al other sources. Two years ago it received hot nama to buildings, most of whicb bouse seniors. a grant from thse Milton Community Fund, G4n idpj Also, if clients need sometbing to read, and the Royal Canadian Legion's Poppy In her the organization bas a progrssn that sees Fond makes s donation esch year. It also qvnl books from Milton Public Library deliv- receives donations froru individuals.For hob ered to their doorstep. mSore information, call (905) 878-6699.* GRH Milton Meals on Wbeels receives fund- Stephanie Thiessen can be reached at PM ing from tie Ministry of Health and sever- .tthie.sen@miltoncanadianchampion.com. - TV C GEC [M I Teeiso M * MEI'6,' Programmiing Schedule - Tuesday, Fbruay 3rd - Monday F.b r 9h, 200 www.cogeco.ca ,,m 6pnPugdIi :0n "epeki ao , p Phge In 5pm 6p . Plge In pn pn ,,gdIi Si,6p IW fl '. p lg n & 7:30p. Ead ekEmn 63P eIsie :0m Ed Wee EditiO, &7 E 7:dB 63DPm~ Lte W kEifl &73p aeWeeSEasas &73& 7: L&teWLa6Ed6o, 67 t5eW nk&d5o, 67 LaloWftkEd5,,o NORTH HALTON STUDIO 5:0 Senion Sho 7OOOprr Swaep Te5 (Lîe) 5W "' Ose afh onc 5:3 Be Inspired 5:3p Wr5 Geod Taste 5:35p, Op6saOTV sag (Lin) 8:0p Mon Sprt Went 6 53qoas M6y Wee6 6:p Serrion Showsas 6:3p Feas Launer Plaza 81OP HalieaHiks Corcl ir 7:0r &*l 7 00m PaoBS Hton 7OP Be Insod Fe .0n Main asa BOOpM Mesly Weak :6 SeBeZONELses(Live) 500 Launer Avenue 6:p North Ha55o aag&a.30 MaSton Sporele sass Milton, ON 191 4R3 PooGkyDne 905-878-9306 Mon Sports Celexlt DIner. Wodneday Gpm à& ud.y &30 pm