WS Chronicle

By Joel McIver

In celebration of the delivery of the seven millionth meal by Senior Services’ Meals-on-Wheels program, Winston-Salem State University Chancellor Elwood Robinson volunteered to deliver meals, including the ceremonial seven millionth meal. Senior Services’ Meals-on-Wheels program’s goal is to help seniors remain in their homes for as long as possible, living with dignity and aging with purpose. 

University students, band members, and cheerleaders joined Chancellor Robinson to commemorate and celebrate this amazing milestone. “This is a great day for WSSU to partner with Senior Services to deliver the seven millionth meal for Meals-on-Wheels in Forsyth County,” Chancellor Robinson said. “We’re excited to be a part of this endeavor.”

Mary Jackson, a 99-year-old former Meals-on-Wheels volunteer and current participant in the program, received the milestone meal. She stated that she was “happy and overjoyed” to have lived long enough to be recognized in this way.  

“It’s really humbling and exciting to see this come full circle where she is benefiting in a different way from this program,” said Lee Covington, president and CEO of Senior Services. 

Senior Services’ Meals-on-Wheels program is the longest continually operating Meals-on-Wheels program in the southeast. It serves members of Forsyth County’s aging population who have difficulty preparing food for themselves, a population that continues to grow at extraordinary rates, as does the need for the Meals-on-Wheels program in Forsyth County. 

“As the gift of longevity continues to offer people longer lives, we want to make sure those additional years are filled with the best moments possible,” said Covington, “Meals-on-Wheels is one of the ways we do that. The fact that over the course of our history we’ve been able to deliver seven million meals, but perhaps equally as important, seven million warm smiles and moments of human connection, is a testament to our dedicated volunteers, staff, and this community,” Covington continued. 

Covington also explained that the needs of seniors in the organization’s programs are growing and that if trends continue, the agency will reach the 14th million meal mark in less than half the time it took to reach seven. “We’re counting on the continued support and generosity that has been shown to continue this work far into the future.” 

Senior Services is a private, nonprofit agency that has been operating in Winston-Salem for more than 58 years, with a mission to help older adults in Forsyth County remain at home as long as possible, living with dignity.  Senior Services currently has eight major programs that respond to the needs of the elderly: 

*The Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Center

*Meals-On-Wheels

*Help Line

*Home Care

*Senior Lunch

*Living-at-Home 

*Elder Care Choices

*Creative Connections 

For more information or to volunteer or donate, call 336-725-0907 or visit seniorservicesinc.org.