October-November 2022 Volume 23, Number 3
COMPL IM
ENTARY Sponsored in part by Beaver County Office on Aging
Blackhawk Area Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals to those in need in Beaver County
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By Randy Detweiler and later became the coordinator of the program. Wilma just recently retired at age 91, but stays active on the board.
Barb Jablownski (cook), Bernadette Latus, and Dawn Petti (volunteers)
Seniors often face three
challenges: inadequate nutrition, isolation and staying safe. Many are not aware that a great resource is available in Beaver County to help with all three of these things. If you are unable to prepare meals or shop for groceries due to a recent surgery or a number of other reasons, Blackhawk Area Meals on Wheels (BAMOW) will deliver two meals to your door five days a week (Monday through Friday).
sion was to support senior neighbors to extend their independence and health as they age. Today, this program has grown to one the largest and most effective social movements in America, currently helping more than 2.4 million seniors annually. Meals on Wheels’ goal is to ensure that every senior in America has a chance to live a fully nourished, independent life for as long as possible. BAMOW started out as
The history of Meals on the Chippewa Meals on Wheels in 1994 and was Wheels The first Meals on Wheels kitchen started in 1954 with a small group of Philadelphia citizens delivering 14 meals to seniors in need. The mis-
funded by the Lutheran Service Society. Wilma Uebelacker was newly retired and saw a request for volunteers in the paper. She became a volunteer
This kitchen has not always had an easy time though. In May 2013, funding was cut and the kitchen was closed. Wilma received many calls from clients inquiring where they could get meals. Clearly, a need in the community was not being met. Wilma decided to open the kitchen back up independently. In order to continue, they would need funding, volunteers, a cook and a place to fix and prepare the meals. By November, they had raised $18,000 and secured two years of free rent from the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Chippewa. The kitchen reopened that month under their new BAMOW name. The charge for two meals was $5; today, it is $7 for two meals. All meals are freshly cooked, not frozen. One of the daily meals is a bagged lunch and the other is a hot, three-course meal with a generous entrée portion.
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Happy Fall! Thursday, September 22
Happy Halloween! Monday, October 31
For information and referral Services, call the Beaver County Office on Aging at: (724) 847-2262
Continued on page 4
(888) 548-2262 (long distance)