(Topeka, Oct. 2, 2007) - The Stormont-Vail Foundation will present the 2007 Bal Jeffrey Award to Meals on Wheels, Inc. of Shawnee and Jefferson Counties, at a dinner and program Thursday, Oct. 11, at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center. The annual Bal Jeffrey Award recognizes and honors distinguished contributors to health care in northeast Kansas. The award is named for Balfour S. Jeffrey, Stormont-Vail’s longest-tenured board member, who played a major role in the growth of health care for more than 40 years.
The prestigious award will be presented to Jane Metzger, president/CEO of Meals on Wheels of Shawnee and Jefferson Counties, who has led the organization since 1990. When asked about receiving this year’s award, Metzer commented, “The Meals on Wheels family is truly honored to receive the Bal Jeffrey Award. The recognition by the Stormont-Vail Foundation that nutrition plays a strong role in the health of our community is reinforcement of our mission to provide nutritionally balanced meals and related services to assist senior and disabled individuals in their abilty to live independently.”
Mobile Meals of Topeka, Inc., now known as Meals on Wheels of Shawnee and Jefferson Counties, Inc., was developed in 1972 by the Junior League. The program was initiated at the request of the Community Resources Council with input from the American Red Cross, Church Women United, the Menninger Foundation, Health Department and Medical Society.
The mission of Meals on Wheels is to provide one hot meal each week day and on holidays to homebound individuals. The recipients live in Shawnee and Jefferson counties and are unable to provide proper nourishment for themselves.
The recipients are primarily elderly, but some disabled individuals qualify. A total of 163,074 home delivered meals were served in 2006.
The Stormont-Vail HealthCare Food Service Department prepares the meals, making sure the food is tasty and follows a low sodium, heart healthy guideline. A majority of meals are delivered, but congregate meals are also available. Congregate meals are designed for persons 60 years of age and older and their spouses. At the 16 congregate dining centers in Shawnee and Jefferson counties, seniors receive a meal, enjoy pleasant companionship, group activities and education on diet and exercise to assist them in remaining healthy and independent. Transportation is provided to and from the meal sites. A total of 105,336 congregate meals were served in 2006.
Meals on Wheels provides a nutritional meal and a link to the outside world. Many disabled and elderly have little contact with the community. The volunteers who deliver meals provide contact to someone who might otherwise remain isolated. Volunteers have intervened when a recipient experienced a health-related crisis, facilitating appropriate medical care.
Metzger said, “If Meals on Wheels did not exist, the community would suffer.
If access to proper nutrition was unavailable, an elderly person would turn to less nutritious options such as soup, crackers, TV dinners or cereal. Lacking proper nutrition and loaded with sodium, the result could be malnutrition which could result in premature nursing home admission or hospitalization with a longer duration and slower recovery.”
However, generous corporations, non-profit organizations and individuals keep the organization going, said Metzger. With a staff of seven full-time positions and 26 part-time positions, the agency depends heavily on volunteers. Currently there are approximately 1,200 caring, community-minded individuals delivering meals. The agency is very thankful for all of their volunteers. Metzger stated in 2006, volunteers contributed 46,395 hours which equates to more than 22 full-time employees. “We have wonderful volunteers without whom we could not function,” said Metzger.
