Facing tough economic times, Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels struggles to meet a growing demand
Meals on Wheels drivers load meals from the kitchen at Eastern Michigan University's Hoyt Conference Center.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Each day a team of 10-15 Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels volunteers prepares and delivers nearly 300 meals for elderly and disabled city residents.
The demand for their services is so great that the waiting list is 60 names long. But because of the area’s poor economy, the group is facing new financial struggles, and for the first time has instituted a freeze on its waiting list.
That means a low-income, sick, disabled or elderly resident who may not have any other way to eat or prepare a meal could be left without a lifeline.
“It’s such an essential service and we could potentially provide the only meal (a recipient) gets during the day, so it’s not easy to say ‘no,’” said Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels director Ann Harris.
The recipients’ situations vary. Around 80 percent are elderly, and some of the seniors can’t prepare their own food and need regular service. Others are recovering from a hospital stay after a stroke, for example, and only need assistance temporarily. A portion of clients are younger but have a medical condition or disability and need assistance, and about 40 percent of clients are diabetic.
For recipients in more dire situations, the Meals on Wheels volunteers may be their only daily contact with another person, and the volunteers also do “wellness checks.” Harris said delivery people get to know the residents and can access emergency contact information or quickly get in touch with family or friends if someone doesn’t answer the door.
“It’s about much more than just the meal,” Harris said.
The organization operates on a $440,000 annual budget and each meal served costs $6.50. An example of a typical meal includes meatloaf, a vegetable and bread. With the exception of a few special cases, the hot meals are delivered once daily.
Meals on Wheels is funded through several channels. Approximately one quarter is from the federal Older American Act, while fundraising accounts for nearly 25 percent. A portion also comes from the Washtenaw County general fund and individual donations, while recipient donations make up about 6 percent.
An Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels driver packs a van for delivery.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
The biggest hit in funding has come through shrinking donations and designations. Meals on Wheels used to receive $54,000 in designations from the United Way, a figure that has dropped to $13,000. The group also received $7,000 less from the United Way general fund this year.
Harris said the United Auto Workers and Pfizer also used to offer annual donations, but neither has a major presence in the community any longer. Meanwhile, food and fuel costs are rising along with the number of individuals in need of service. Harris estimates about a 40 percent greater need for service in eastern Washtenaw County than western Washtenaw.
“We have fewer and fewer financial means, but an increasing number of recipients who are living in poverty,” she said. “We have to operate in the black, but it’s just very difficult right now.”
About 50-percent of Meals on Wheels’ funding goes directly to food costs and 4-percent covers overhead. The group has two part-time employees and has operated out of the same room in Ypsilanti’s First Baptist Church since its 1974 founding.
A food preparation contract is in place with the Eastern Michigan University Dining Services Department, where paid drivers go to pick up the meals daily.
One of the major expenses is fuel to operate the group’s five trucks Cathy McClure, a Meals on Wheels board member, said the organization is seeking donations from local gas stations.
The group is also continuing with its fundraising efforts and trying a new venture to generate earned income through a partnership with the Ypsilanti Senior Center. The two groups are creating a "mobile cafe" that combines their resources to offer fresh sandwiches, soups, salads and other items in a mobile kitchen that visits local business parks.
For more information on how to get involved or help with Meals on Wheels, contact Ann Harris on weekdays between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at (734) 487-9669.
Comments
A2comments
Tue, Aug 9, 2011 : 12:13 p.m.
What percent of meal recipients pay for their meals? Does MoW ask them if they can afford to pay? My relatives tried a service like this in a different county. They ultimately discontinued because they didn't like the meals. But they weren't paying anything because "it's free". When I pointed out they had the ability to pay, they agreed to, but the org supplying the meals did a horrible job explaining that to recipients.
Jen Eyer
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 4:48 p.m.
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bunnyabbot
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 3:41 p.m.
first off I have to agree with another poster. Area Churches provide a great service like this for elderly members. However there are a lot of people who don't go to churches. Elderly or house bound people also may feel ashamed or embarrassed to ask for help. It use to be that churches provided this service and or neighbors would help one another. The best thing everyone can do is get to know their neighbors. If you suspect someone may need help, get to know them, in the winter shovel thier snow, give them your number in case of an emergency, invite them over for a BBQ, walk their dog. Then they will be more comfortable when you start "popping over" with some extra turkey and stuffing etc.
joe golder
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 6:18 p.m.
Great advise! I would also keep an eye on them and their property. Especially when they're working outdoors working in the heat or shoveling snow.
Cash
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 12:57 p.m.
Taxpayers do not realize how much money this program SAVES them. I know three people over 90 years old who would not have a warm meal if not for Meals on Wheels....nor would they have a daily visitor. This is the ONLY way they can stay in their home. And God knows they WANT to stay at home as we all would in our later years. The other choice is a Medicare facility...where it cost a heck of a lot more than 30 meals a month! This is one of the programs that if funded actually SAVES taxpayers money.
joe golder
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 12:51 p.m.
I have heard the words struggle and struggling used to many times in the past several years. I think the "mobile Cafe" is a great idea. It can be used at local festivals, bringing better choices to workers, its a great fund raising, awareness tool. My list of organizations I want to help just got longer.
Trying To Be Amused
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.
Here's a link to a way to donate to the group online: <a href="https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/ExpressDonation.aspx?ORGID2=382038528" rel='nofollow'>https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/ExpressDonation.aspx?ORGID2=382038528</a>
Joel A. Levitt
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 12:33 p.m.
Checks or money orders can be sent to Meals on Wheels at 1110 W. Cross St., Ypsilanti, MI 48917.
Ken Boyd
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 3:06 p.m.
Yes, this the best way to support a truly wonderful cause. Each of us should contribute directly. Get out the checkbook people!
Joel A. Levitt
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 12:28 p.m.
Yes, let's get rid of Governor Snyder. But, the emergency is now, and now is when we should each contribute.
Carole Clare
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 11:10 a.m.
ElvisFest just donated $1,000. We are all about Community and Charities, maybe next year we can donate more and add some.
Monica R-W
Mon, Aug 8, 2011 : 11 a.m.
Thanks for this story Tom. What is sad about this, is that poor and low income Seniors will face additional needs from programs like Meals on Wheels soon, with Gov. Snyder making pension and social security income taxable. Its' estimated Seniors might pay anywhere from $500-$2000 in much needed income, to pay state taxes annually in Michigan starting January 2012. Now, I know some will say, Snyder was right to make Seniors pay "their fair share". The question I ask is if it was really necessary to tax this population? A $1.5 billion dollar tax cut was given to this states' C and S corporations, who frankly can afford to pay, exactly what they were paying to our state. Some will counteract this by stating that C and S corporations are the "job creators" and Seniors aren't. Yet, Michigan unemployment rate increased in July to 10.5%. Meals on Wheels cited at least 60 Seniors are on the waiting list for food assistance. This number will increase come October 1st, when Gov. Snyder makes cuts to the Food Stamp/Michigan Bridge Card program. Another question.... how many Seniors will be added to this list soon, going hungry, without the proper food resources that are not on the Meals on Wheels waiting list? My final point....$15 million dollars was recently given by Gov. Snyder's/Michael Finney's MEDC to Spark (see previous story by Nathan Bomey last week on A2.com). Meanwhile, Meals on Wheels are experiencing decreased donations due to employers moving out of our area. All of these actions are occurring Gov. Snyder's home county. I wonder if the governor could have diverted a couple of thousands of dollars instead, to assistance a program that is doing their best to help our Senior population maintain a basic human right, to a meal?