Volunteers needed to deliver Meals on Wheels in Prince William County

Volunteers with the Prince William Area Agency on Aging’s Meals-on-Wheels program delivered 35,466 meals to 278 homebound people in Prince William County, Manassas and Manassas Park in 2015. The 87 volunteers spent 5,356 hours delivering meals to help older adults stay safely at home while at the same time checking in and offering a bit of daily, social interaction.

Volunteers who deliver the meals say they get as much out of the good deed as the meal recipients.

Mary Carolla used to volunteer at her children’s schools until they went off to college.

She wanted to continue the volunteering habit and found the Meals-on-Wheels program. She volunteers out of the Manassas Senior Center and said she likes the work. She was quoted in a Prince William County government news release as saying, “I feel like I help them, and they help me,” Carolla said of the people who get the hot, frozen and shelf stable meals she delivers. “It makes you feel so good to be appreciated.”

Carolla makes regular deliveries to Manassas resident Hazel, 98, who doesn’t drive any more. Hazel said she might not eat if not for the Meals-on-Wheels program. “I live alone. I have no way to go to the store unless I get someone to take me,” Hazel was quoted as saying.

While the volunteers get a lot of work done and manage to feed all of the homebound who participate in the program, the Area Agency on Aging is always looking for people to help out, according to a quote from Ed Harrison, a division manager for the agency. “You don’t get money, but you get compensated. Volunteers volunteer for different reasons, but sometimes their lives get busy and they have to move on; and we certainly understand. That’s why we are always looking for new volunteers.”

Jack Kapp, a retired U.S. Air Force bomber pilot and the former mayor of Haymarket, delivers meals in the western end of the county and said his compensation is in the satisfaction of doing something for others. Kapp was quoted as saying, “The Good Lord has been good to me and so I like to give back. The Bible says, ‘Don’t be a hearer of the word but a doer,’ so I’m doer.”

In recent weeks, several Prince William County supervisors have ridden along with the Meals-on-Wheels volunteers to raise awareness of the continuing need for volunteers.

Coles District supervisor Marty Nohe, who recently rode along with Carolla, said people who are looking to help out a little bit might consider signing on to the program as a volunteer.

He was quoted in the news release as saying, “Meals-on-Wheels is a really easy way for citizens to help others in their community where a little bit of work goes a really long way. You can volunteer one day a week or every day of the week for just a couple of hours, and you make a huge impact on lives of literally every person you touch as you travel along the route. It’s a great opportunity to make our community a better place.”

Occoquan District supervisor Ruth Anderson recently rode along with Rene and Jane Lehman on their route that runs through the Occoquan and Woodbridge districts. She watched the retired couple as they chatted a little with each client and made sure everything was okay.

Anderson said she was “awestruck” by the work the volunteers do. “The number of hours they dedicate to the volunteer service and the consistency of their service is inspiring. They knew the people at every single house that we went to today and greeted them. They were warm, friendly faces as they delivered the meals,” Anderson was quoted as saying in the news release.

Anderson said she would entreat others to volunteer. “This is such a great way to give back to your community because there are many people who can’t get out of their houses to get a meal and certainly can’t put together a warm meal for themselves. This is a way to help them stay in place in their home and age gracefully. So, we would appreciate any new volunteers for this program.”

Rene Lehman, a Department of Defense retiree, said he and his wife enjoy driving for the Meals-on-Wheels program out of the Woodbridge Senior Center in Woodbridge. His mother got Meals-on-Wheels in Maryland, and the Lehmans wanted to help others in the way his mother was helped. They have been delivering the meals for about ten years.

Roger, who retired from General Services Administration, is going on 86 and lost his wife seven months ago. He is blind and welcomes the hot meals the Lehmans bring him. “My wife passed away, and I’m handicapped. It’s wonderful. It means a lot to me.”

Jane Lehman, a Department of the Army retiree, said she worries a bit about their clients when she and her husband are out of the area. “We miss it when we’re away. We’re so happy to get back. I call them my peeps, and I miss my peeps.”

“We get more satisfaction than the people do,” Rene Lehman said.

People who are interested in volunteering may call Melodee Sheehan at 703-792-4583 or email Sheehan at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Visit the Area Agency on Aging’s website for more information about volunteering with the Meals-on-Wheels program or other opportunities at the agency.