For over 36 years, Meals on Wheels South Florida has been serving more than 10,000 seniors and 5,000 children an estimated 1.5 million meals each year. As one of 5,000 Meals on Wheels programs across the country. Meals on Wheels South Florida works diligently every day to protect the multitude of seniors from the threats of isolation and hunger. However, the nonprofit organization could not do it without the generous donors and volunteers who help in communities across America just like Broward County.
“Meals on Wheels South Florida is powered every day by community partners, staff, and volunteers standing up to lend a caring hand to their aging neighbors,” said Mark Adler, Executive Director for Meals on Wheels South Florida. “During the holidays we want our clients to remember that they are not alone and that we are here to provide them with a special holiday surprise.”
This December, Meals on Wheels South Florida is hosting its 20th annual Holiday Gift Box Program, where they provide 150 of their home-bound seniors in Broward County with a special holiday surprise of personal care items. Each holiday season, the generous hunger-relief organization’s goal is to ensure their clients enjoy the holidays as much as possible.
In addition to the nutritious meals and safety checks they already receive; Meals on Wheels South Florida staff and volunteers visit clients during the week of Christmas and present them with a gift-wrapped box filled with personal care items. These boxes are delivered to clients who are generally alone and without family to visit them during the holidays. But much like everything else, it takes assistance from the local community to donate these personal care items such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, detergent, and more.
“It means the world to me that Meals on Wheels South Florida surprises me during the holidays with this gift box. Living on a fixed income, generous gifts like this make all the difference,” exclaimed Teresa F., 79, of Plantation.
Members of the community can get involved with the Holiday Gift Box Program by donating personal care items or making financial gifts to help purchase items. Items are being received at the Meals on Wheels headquarters located at 451 N. State Road 7 in Plantation Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. until December 15th. Those wishing to donate or volunteer for this program can call 954-731-8770 or email [email protected] for more information.