Lions Club members pose alongside Veiner Centre staff as they receive ta donation cheque.--Submitted Photo
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
The Medicine Hat Community View Lions Club was thrilled to be able to present a donation to Unison at Veiner Centre on Wednesday afternoon, purchasing much-needed meals for low-income seniors.
The donation of $2,000 will be used to fund the Meals on Wheels program, said club treasurer Nancy Crowley.
“We’re delighted to be able to make this donation today, and to be able to provide for the seniors in our community,” said Crowley.
The funds will be able to provide roughly 200 meals to low-income seniors in the city, said Rob Locke, fund development manager for Unison for Generations 50+.
“It makes a huge difference,” said Locke. “We love all the work that they do in the community. And we’re very thankful that they’re supporting the Veiner Centre, and we’re very thankful for them caring about low income seniors and for paying for these meals”
The meals will be able to help seniors who may not be able to afford balanced, nutritious meals, or who may be unable to cook for themselves due to illness or injury.
“Meals on Wheels provides meals to them until they recover and can make meals again, because sometimes maybe they’re having injured their hands,” said Locke. “It can be just a temporary thing, but it can make a huge difference to them.”
There are a lot of seniors in Medicine Hat who depend on Meals on Wheels, said Locke, not just to get a balanced meal, but for lesser-highlighted mental benefits, as well.
“It is a wellness check, too. And it’s the same volunteer for the whole week, so they’re getting a bit of a friendship,” said Locke. “The volunteer is looking out for their well being, and if there are any problems, we make sure that they get the support that they need.”
With isolation being a growing issue for many seniors, the visits and novelty of a warm meal they didn’t have to cook can be a serious improvement to mental and emotional health.
Unison at Veiner Centre is grateful for the donation, as well as all the work put in by volunteers in the community who make the vital service possible.
