After a month’s break from the deadly Etonfire, the Altadena-based nonprofit returned the service to provide nutritious foods to seniors who need them.
Altadena Meals on Wheels is a nonprofit organization that provides and serves ready-to-eat meals to seniors. In January, the Eton Fire destroyed Altadena and affected the program’s volunteers and officers, forced services to be stopped.
“Many of our clients, those who received the meal, delivery drivers and board members, many of us have lost their homes,” said Norma Wright, a meal for Altadena, a Wheels board member. She shared that her home was burning with flames.
Volunteers affected by the fire survived the losses, but program leaders worked together to regain their delivery services as quickly as possible.
“Everything was completely stopped after the fire, but board members continued to meet, try to reestablish the program and started again on June 2nd,” Wright said. “It’s very small now, but it’s growing.”
Before the fire, the program delivered food to about 30 homes. Currently, it serves 20 households.
The program is made possible with donations and is fully run by volunteers from delivery drivers, food creators and board members. Prepared meals will be provided to seniors participating in the program from Monday to Friday
John Rosewall is one of the volunteers who deliver meals to participants. He said he was involved after he retired as he was looking for a way to give back to the community.
“The idea is to bring at least one good, nutritious, healthy diet to the elderly if they have the need for that, and if they are bound to their homes, recover from injuries and come back from the hospital, they won’t be able to easily cook their own meals,” he said.
Meal recipient Peter Brier described the program as a miracle.
“I enjoy it a lot, especially because it’s a huge help for my wife. She has to take care of me, so the food is a big deal,” he said. “Clockworking is a great help for all of us in time for lunch as this delicious meal comes every day.”
“I think it’s a great institution… I wouldn’t be able to do without it,” he added.
Click here to learn more about Altadena Meals on Wheels and to get involved.
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