SAAA Delivers Homecooked Meals to Seniors in Need
By: Carmen Chau
Updated: December 24, 2012
However, this feast was not for the group of 10 volunteers. Instead, it was for those who needed it much more.
"The staff, Pam Dodge asked since today was a holiday that we could fix meals for our home bound people that were at home with no one to fix their meal and probably would have no family for the holidays," says Cindy Palmer, The Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging (SAAA) CEO and president.
The SAAA has always served seniors, making sure they have enough to get by each day.
"Each one of us serves the city of Winchester, Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, Warren and these are the clients we normally do serve, so each of the staff members and their families are volunteering and helping," says Palmer.
In preparing the meals, the staff discovered one of their deliveries was towards a woman in Frederick County who was celebrating her 93rd birthday.
"It's a reward to us also to giving back and to our people. We also have one little lady that when she called in to say she would like a meal, she said today was her birthday so we also have fixed her a birthday bag," says Palmer.
Volunteers split up in teams to deliver the hot meals to about 70 families.
Families were greeted by boxes of desserts, cookies, and a Christmas card at their front door.
Many of the seniors are struggling for different reasons. Maxine Sisk says she spends most of her time taking care of her husband.
"I have to take care of him and I don't have time to cook," says Sisk.
Meanwhile, Douglas Armel is recovering from a stroke and says he is more than grateful.
"Oh it's means a lot, the people bringing me cards, stuff like that and I appreciate it very much," says Armel.
These meals were not just an appetite filler but a heart warmer, knowing they are being thought of this time of year.



