GRANDVILLE, Mich. (WOOD) — Meals on Wheels Western Michigan has received millions of dollars in state funding to improve its facilities and help expand its reach.
Meals of Wheels of Western Michigan serves around 6,000 older adults in Kent and Allegan Counties through programs such as a pantry program and home-delivered meals each year.
“Our home-delivered meals are a lifeline for a lot of seniors. They generally are not able to get out and about, prepare meals on their own,” Lisa Wideman, president & CEO of Meals on Wheels Western Michigan, said.
It’s not just about providing older adults with nutritious meals. For volunteers, it’s also an opportunity to build important relationships.
“Almost half of my people, I may be the only person they interact with through the course of a week, in person,” Ed Coke, Meals on Wheels of Western Michigan volunteer, said.
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The senior population is expected to grow into 2035, and the “number of older adults will exceed the number of family members that can take care of them,” Wideman said.