How do you react to a senior citizen who holds your hand, asking you not to leave because they are graced by your presence? Many people relish in simply being noticed by another person, being loved, and taken care of. Some seniors are dependent on others to help them “fully” live their lives. It’s important to realize the capability society possesses to impact the lives of others.

 Unknowingly perhaps, giving them something to live for.

Several volunteers have joined together to form an organization known as Meals on Wheels. It helps impact the lives of seniors in ways that currently remain less prominent in our society. Meals on Wheels is designed to provide senior citizens with a hot meal. This meal is delivered Monday through Friday to individuals of 60 years and older. The senior receiving the meals is required to be homebound or unable to prepare his or her own meals. Meals on Wheels graciously accepts donations for the program.

Recently, Meals on Wheels has developed a pet food program. Along with receiving meals, each senior citizen that has any pet(s) is allowed a certain amount of pet food. Aimee Philips, program director for Meals on Wheels, is currently residing at her workplace in Hartland, MI, located inside of the Old Hartland High School. This is Meals on Wheels is helping change lives, specifically in our community.

. “The pet food program is a piggyback off Meals on Wheels,” Phillips revealed. It consequently started after senior citizens were discovered to be sharing their own meals with their pets. It was difficult for them to afford the cost of their own food and pet food. Sometimes, instead of feeding themselves, they would only feed their pets!  The organization received a grant which helps with funding for the pet food, but your donations also help.

According to Philips, the food is “supplemental.”

 “If you have 12 cats, we can’t feed all 12 of your cats,” she said. There is no extra food. All of the pet food is put to use. Pet food drives are one of several ways to collect pet food. Anyone is allowed to sponsor a pet food drive. Once enough food is retrieved, it’s delivered to Meals on Wheels clients by helpful drivers.

“It’s definitely a rewarding job.” guaranteed Aimee.

Next door to Meals on Wheels is a classroom designed for students with special needs. Young adults enrolled in this class are extremely important in helping with the pet food program. Jared (a student) helps with the task of bagging the pet food on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Jared is a very nice young man who is content to help our senior citizens. He says that bagging the pet food isn’t hard to do. Six friends also help Jared bag the pet food for Meals on Wheels. Jared concludes that helping with the pet food program is a “job worth doing.”

Volunteer worker Virginia Moore trucks along the route to Holly to deliver the food after it’s bagged. She has been delivering food to seniors for the last four years. She has worked with the program for over six years, and absolutely loves her job. Moore’s favorite part of her job is watching the seniors react.

 “Seeing their faces light up when they receive a delivery (is great).” Moore commented, “It greatly benefits. Too bad they didn’t have it a long time ago.”

Moore emphasized, “It’s rewarding to work with seniors because they appreciate you.”

Moore said that one of her best experiences occurred when a senior held her hand and didn’t want her to leave. It touched her and she remembers it fondly. The kind of memory that will bring a smile to her face every time she retells it. Overall, it demonstrates a close bond between the clients and drivers. They enjoy the delivery, awaiting it’s arrival with a building excitement, like waiting for a present.

Tim, a senior citizen, receives the pet food. He informs that pet food is delivered to him once a month. Tim has been with the program Meals on Wheels for approximately three months. He has received pet food three times. Tim is the caretaker of seven cats that devour pet food he receives from the pet food program. Tim approved, “It’s a great program and I hope it continues.”