Meals on Wheels resumes hot meal deliveries in Durham

Daily hot lunch deliveries resumed Tuesday for senior citizens and homebound adults after making changes around 16 months ago because of the pandemic. Around 500 people are served each weekday, organizers said.

“During the uncertain and fluid nature of the pandemic, the continued outpour of support from the community, and dedication of our volunteers and staff, made it possible for our clients to wake up each day with one less challenge to face. Throughout it all, they could rest assured that their meals would arrive as they have grown accustomed to,” said Jason Peace, executive director at Meals on Wheels Durham.

Meals on Wheels has depended on its volunteers to keep serving throughout the pandemic. According to organizers, Meals on Wheels Durham has delivered more than 200,000 meals and performed more than 50,000 wellness checks since April 2020.

"That's one thing that I missed about not being able to be here ... seeing the smiles on their faces," said volunteer Amia Bullard, who used to work for the non-profit and came back to help drive deliveries.

"You know, just having them have a person come to the door every single day and let know know we're here for you," said Bullard.

Organizers said the meal is sometimes the only one of the day for recipients.

"We took a very deliberate approach when we went back to hot meals," added Peace.

Meals on Wheels worked with medical consultants to survey clients and volunteers. Peace said after the survey revealed the majority of both clients and volunteers got the vaccine, they felt comfortable bringing back a little taste of normalcy.

“Everybody is masked up. That’s first and foremost,” said Peace. “The delivery is a very quick delivery. We’re going to the door, we’re handing off the meals, so it’s probably less than a two or three minute exchange. So given the fact we’re wearing masks and given the fact that it’s outdoors and given the fact that the exchange is very limited in a sense of time it helps minimize our risks,” he added.

The very brief delivery exchange brings an immense amount of joy to all, according to Bullard.

"It's af eeling that no check could ever give you," she said. "The feeling of giving back."

On Tuesday, 80 people volunteered to deliver meals. Organizers said they're always looking for volunteers, specifically drivers to serve the community.