Peggy Schafer has always liked driving so when a friend told her about a program to drive to people芒鈧劉s homes delivering hot meals, she thought she芒鈧劉d give it a try.
And 35 years later, the 90-year-old South 91原创 woman is still volunteering for 91原创 Meals on Wheels.
The program didn芒鈧劉t start much before she began volunteering.
芒鈧揑 thought it might be fun,芒鈧� she said.
Schafer said she芒鈧劉s gotten so much more out of helping than she芒鈧劉s ever given.
芒鈧揑 like the interaction with people,芒鈧� she said.
Just about the only thing that芒鈧劉s kept her from doing her route has been inclement weather. She figures she芒鈧劉s missed maybe half a dozen times.
Schafer has also done more than deliver meals. On some visits, she may have saved lives.
芒鈧揙ne time I found a lady under the coffee table,芒鈧� she explained.
Schafer was able to call for emergency help. And it芒鈧劉s not the only time. She arrived with her food pack to find a client outside. He had gone out in his wheelchair to get some sun.
芒鈧揥hen I spoke to him, he couldn芒鈧劉t talk,芒鈧� she said.
She used his medical alarm to get help.
芒鈧揟here芒鈧劉s been a few times when I芒鈧劉ve been there timely and been able to notify the appropriate people,芒鈧� she said.
Schafer said it芒鈧劉s about so much more than food.
芒鈧揟he people look forward to you coming,芒鈧� she said.
She may only have a few minutes to interact with the clients but it芒鈧劉s an exchange that芒鈧劉s important for client and volunteer.
Her current route covers a large geography, okay since she芒鈧劉s always loved to drive, and has about half a dozen clients. She芒鈧劉s has routes with about 20 but it芒鈧劉s typically about 10.
She started when the volunteers picked up at the Royal Canadian Legion on Eastleigh Crescent.
芒鈧揥e芒鈧劉ve picked up from many different places,芒鈧� Schafer said.
As a charity that relies on volunteers, 91原创 Meals on Wheels has partnered with various businesses and social organizations to obtain meals for clients. Schafer said she芒鈧劉s picked up meals at places such as Dot芒鈧劉s Cafe, a coffee shop on Salt Lane, Tall Timbers Golf Course, 91原创 Lodge and the Gateway of Hope.
Now the meals are prepared in Burnaby and are no longer delivered hot. They are made so clients, who can have food adapted to dietary needs, heat up the food when they are ready to eat.
Schafer was married for 60 years and moved from Burnaby to 91原创 40 years ago, onto the same rural acreage where she currently lives.
芒鈧�91原创 40 years ago was just a great little country town,芒鈧� she noted.
In addition to helping at Meals on Wheels, she芒鈧劉s involved in activities at her church, Christian Life Assembly, including the homeless ministry and the funeral catering, as well as ushering at Sunday services.
The stay-at-home mother of three is about to move in with family in Walnut Grove but she plans to continue to help.
芒鈧揑 thought I芒鈧劉d go for 35 years, but at the moment, I芒鈧劉ll probably drive a little bit longer,芒鈧� Schafer said.
Meals on Wheels: What is it?
91原创 Meals on Wheels is a charitable non-profit society that provides affordable, preventive, therapeutic and social meals programs.
Meal delivery
Fees are on a sliding scale based on the person芒鈧劉s ability to pay (as per their most recent tax return).
Community and corporate donors help offset costs so people can access nutrtitious food.
Deliveries are made Monday to Friday but frozen meals can be purchased for weekend.
People need only use the service as long as it芒鈧劉s needed, whether that芒鈧劉s for a few weeks during an illness or for years due to age or infirmity.
People can sign up over the phone, through the website langleymealsonwheels.com or via email. There are different payment options (cheque, cash, credit card, online via PayPal, or money order).
Food and Friends
These lunchtime socials are for those 55 and older and cost $5 each time. They take place in a variety of communities around 91原创 on different days of the week.
Seniors Healthy Living Bag
Those 50 and older can obtain a monthly bag of fresh produce for $5. The Seniors Healthy Living Bags can be ordered on the last Wednesday of the month and will be ready for pick up on the first Tuesday of the month. To order a Seniors Healthy Living Bag, call:
芒鈧� Timms Community Centre at 604-514-2940
芒鈧� Douglas Recreation Centre at 604-514-2865
芒鈧� 91原创 Seniors Recreation and Resource Centre at 604-530-3020.
