GAINESVILLE - Georgia's First Lady went on the 'March for Meals' Tuesday morning, delivering meals to senior residents of Light House Manor in Gainesville.
Mrs. Sandra Deal brought meals and visited with the residents, saying it was a valuable nutrition program for seniors and a comfort to their relatives.
"I think it's very valuable because we don't have families living as closely together as they once did," Mrs. Deal said. "People don't get checked on and fed quite as well as when families lived in the home with each other. Now, families are worried about what happens to their parents. They're working and can't turn loose to check on them, and to know that somebody's going in during the day and taking them a warm meal and seeing that their OK gives peace of mind to them."
According to Milon Christman, Meals on Wheels Director, the program is in its 40th year as part of the Older Americans Act.
"With a lot of people receiving meals, we're the only people they see on a daily basis," Christman said. "If it wasn't for the nutrition services they receive, they probably wouldn't be able to live at home and keep their independence."
Christman said Meals on Wheels is volunteer driven, with 225 volunteers and Tuesday that included the First Lady.
"Her platform has always been 'with a servant's heart' and she believes in volunteerism, community involvement and outreach," Christman added. "She also believes that action is louder than words."
Nadine Fowler said she was glad to see Mrs. Deal and it was a big help.
"They gave me a little hint last week that she would be here," she said. "I enjoyed seeing her," adding that Meals on Wheels especially meant a lot with the First Lady's visit. "My daughters sometimes don't have a chance to come and fix me something to eat at dinner, but on weekends they make sure I eat if I am not up to fixing myself something."
Thursday
October 17th, 2024
7:28AM
