MORE THAN A MEAL, IT'S A MORALE BOOST

Without the volunteer who arrives at her door each week with a bundle of food, Elizabeth Reghr doesn't know how often she'd get a good meal.

The St. Catharines woman has been using Meals on Wheels for about 12 years.

Struggling with multiple autoimmune disorders, the 48-yearold said she has inflammation in her brain, as well as inflammation from Lupus.

During a flare-up, she said she often forgets to take care of her

self, even forgetting to eat.

Usually about a week into an episode, when she's feeling better, she gives Meals on Wheels St. Catharines and Thorold a call.

"It's weird to be in this position," she said. "I need it. I mean, I know I'm not 90, but I need it."

Meals on Wheels is run throughout Ontario. In Niagara, volunteers take hot or frozen meals out to clients, who are often older adults or disabled people living alone.

David Morris is another St. Catharines resident who uses Meals on Wheels, and his father used it before him.

Morris' wife died a few years ago, and living alone, he said he felt like he needed some help getting a good meal every now and then.

Instead of having his food delivered, Morris opts to pick it up himself, and said he always looks forward to seeing the volunteers.

"I look forward to my visit over there to say hello to the girls who look after things," he said.

According to Statistics Canada, 27.9 per cent of older adults live alone.

In a separate report, Statistics Canada mentions that because they live alone, and seldom leave the house, these people often experience social isolation.

Not only does Meals on Wheels provide food to those who may struggle to prepare meals for themselves, but Bertha Power, the organization's volunteer co-ordinator, said an important piece of their mandate is keeping an eye on those who may be alone.

"That connection with somebody is so important and almost more important than the nutrition," she said. "Some of these people don't see anyone for days or weeks, and it's just a little chat. It's not a big thing, but families appreciate."

Meals on Wheels would not be able to operate without their volunteers such as Ellie Dool, who has been with the St. Catharines group for more than 10 years. The 72-year-old got involved after a friend's wife died.

"I thought he needed to be busy, he was staying in the house ... We both started doing it and it was a good thing for him, just to be out of the house and have a routine," she recalled.

They have 180 volunteers right now, said Power.

It seems like a lot of people, she said, but it isn't.

While they don't have high turnover of volunteers, Power explained that the problem comes in juggling everyone's schedules to fill shifts for every day of the month.

"The average age is 75," she said of her volunteers. "A lot of these people are going to retire; they've been doing this for 20 years. They've volunteered longer than they worked, probably.

“So this is leaving us a little bit short."

They currently serve 292 people in St. Catharines and Thorold.

"So in a day, we're sending out about 100 hot meals on average in St. Catharines and anywhere from 20 to 30 hot meals in Thorold," she said. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, they deliver frozen food, which bumps up the numbers considerably.

For Dool, the work is the best reward.

"There's a huge need for this, and the odd thing is, nobody thinks they'd be good at it and thinks that's too much work," she said. "It's no work at all, and it's so gratifying."

Reghr said she's appreciative of the meals and the hospitality.

"They're just such friendly faces and say the sweetest things, and it's a little morale boost sometimes when you need it," Reghr said.

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: In honour of

Meals on Wheels March for Meals week, reporter Abby Green wanted to speak with clients of the organization and find out how they've been helped beyond food.