Seniors often face three challenges: inadequate nutrition, isolation, and staying safe. Many are not aware that a great resource is available in Beaver County to help with all three of these things. If you are unable to prepare meals or shop for groceries due to recent surgery or a number of other reasons, Blackhawk Area Meals on Wheels (BAMOW) will deliver two meals to your door five days a week (Monday through Friday).
The history of Meals on Wheels
The first Meals on Wheels kitchen started in 1954 with a small group of Philadelphia citizens delivering 14 meals to seniors in need. The mission was to support senior neighbors to extend their independence and health as they age. Today, this program has grown to one the largest and most effective social movements in America, currently helping more than 2.4 million seniors annually. Meals on Wheels’ goal is to ensure that every senior in America has a chance to live a fully nourished, independent life for as long as possible.
BAMOW started out as the Chippewa Meals on Wheels in 1994 and was funded by the Lutheran Service Society. Wilma Uebelacker was newly retired and saw a request for volunteers in the paper. She became a volunteer and later became the coordinator of the program. Wilma just recently retired at age 91 but stays active on the board.
This kitchen has not always had an easy time though. In May 2013, funding was cut and the kitchen was closed. Wilma received many calls from clients inquiring where they could get meals. Clearly, a need in the community was not being met. Wilma decided to open the kitchen back up independently. In order to continue, they would need funding, volunteers, a cook, and a place to fix and prepare the meals. By November, they had raised $18,000 and secured two years of free rent from the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Chippewa. The kitchen reopened that month under their new BAMOW name. The charge for two meals was $5; today, it is $7 for two meals. All meals are freshly cooked, not frozen. One of the daily meals is a bagged lunch and the other is a hot, three-course meal with a generous entrée portion.
BAMOW cooks and volunteers
Today, BAMOW has 50 dedicated volunteers who put in many hours to ensure that older adults in their homes can receive nutritious meals. Volunteers include kitchen help, drivers, driver coordinators, and accounting personnel. The only paid employee is the cook, Barb Jablonski, who has been at the kitchen since 2009. Barb is known to say that she is no Bobby Flay (the well-known chef) but she is consistent and her standards are high; for example, she makes her own breading, and entrees are baked, not fried. All meat is tender and can be cut with a fork.
Rita and Bruce Hammerly have been delivering meals at BAMOW for 15 years. Two years ago, they also took on the role of coordinating the drivers and routes. “Our Friday driving route is very rewarding,” Bruce says, “and have become friends with our clients. When we visit, we get to know them and take note of how they are doing. Enabling these seniors to remain in their homes by delivering their meals is very gratifying. Rita and I can see the difference this makes in their lives.”
Bernadette Latus began volunteering two days a week in 1995 and volunteers. “Wednesdays I’m in the kitchen and I drive a route on Fridays,” she comments. “I love visiting these older adults while contributing to my community. It’s a lot of fun. Everyone from the volunteers to the clients we serve become friends and look out for each other.”
Dawn Petti also volunteers two days a week and has been doing so for three years. “Hats off to Barb who coordinates everything in the kitchen and puts so much love and thought into the daily meals,” Dawn says. “Most of my clients are age 85 or older, and each one is kind, sweet, and appreciative. I have become friends with them and I always ask if they need any additional help. My 91-year-old client makes me smile when I ask how she is doing, and she responds, ‘I am upright at 91!’”
Pam Rimbey, the volunteer accountant at BAMOW is a retired school teacher who signed on as treasurer to keep track of payments. She soon realized this role would also involve tracking donations, tracking expenses, and balancing the budget. “I enjoy this work and it’s a good feeling to help this great program stay successful,” she notes.
Donations are appreciated
Donations are always needed and appreciated to help the BAMOW operations. Its kitchen is completely independent and depends solely on volunteers and donations. Here are the main ways to support this nonprofit:
• Donate your time.
• Make a monetary donation.
• Donate approved prepared items or supplies.
Ways to contact BAMOW
• To volunteer in the kitchen or as a driver, call Rita Hammerly at (724) 513-9812.
• To inquire about donating food items or supplies, call Barb Jablonski at (724) 843-1022
• To receive Meals on Wheels, call Wilma Uebelacker at (724) 843-6646.
•You may also write to BAMOW, PO Box 1573, Beaver Falls, PA 15010.
Other Meals on Wheels in Beaver County
• In addition to BAMOW, there are two other MOW kitchens in Beaver County:
• Beaver Falls: (724) 843-5450
• Rochester (through Lutheran Services): (724) 774-0292