Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
12 <br /> 1 <br /> 2 6. Regular Agenda <br /> 3 Additional Funding for Department on Aging Takeaway Meal Program <br /> 4 (This item was added at the beginning of the meeting.) <br /> 5 Commissioner McKee expressed concern that the takeout program at the Senior Centers <br /> 6 ends on Friday. He wants to ensure no hard stop for those truly needing meals without <br /> 7 transportation. He said that at $9 per meal/day, continuing through December would cost under <br /> 8 $10,000, allowing reassessment later. <br /> 9 Janice Tyler, Aging Director, said there are 41 meals being taken away every day, and 8- <br /> 10 10 are for truly homebound individuals. She explained that those delivering meals to homebound <br /> 11 individuals also take their own meals. She said Aging staff have been notifying people for a while <br /> 12 now that the funding for the take-out meals program is ending. She said she has spoken with <br /> 13 Susan Jarmin of Orange County Meals on Wheels, and they can accommodate taking meals to <br /> 14 homebound individuals. She said Orange County is the only county still doing pandemic-era <br /> 15 takeout meals. She highlighted that one of the benefits of Meals on Wheels is that meals are <br /> 16 guaranteed to be delivered and those who are homebound won't be relying on one person to <br /> 17 bring them a meal each day. <br /> 18 Travis Myren explained that the program was extended 2 months during the budget <br /> 19 process, which is why the program is ending now. <br /> 20 Chair Bedford emphasized participants need to accept Meals on Wheels without feeling <br /> 21 they have choice, as she won't vote to continue for 10 people if Meals on Wheels can serve them. <br /> 22 Commissioner McKee said his only concern was ensuring no hard stop for truly <br /> 23 homebound individuals. <br /> 24 Janice Tyler suggested continuing the program for two weeks at$675 weekly to give Meals <br /> 25 on Wheels time to work with homebound individuals to get them on their route and assure them <br /> 26 they will still get meals delivered. <br /> 27 Chair Bedford shared her positive volunteer experience with Meals on Wheels, which <br /> 28 provides pet food, 15-minute social visits, sugar-free treats for diabetics, and various delivery <br /> 29 options, including cooler drop-off. <br /> 30 Vice-Chair Hamilton said people should be encouraged to call the Department on Aging <br /> 31 for information if needed. <br /> 32 Janice Tyler said information has been included with each takeaway meal about who to <br /> 33 contact to get more meals. <br /> 34 Commissioner Fowler agreed Meals on Wheels is the appropriate entity to help. <br /> 35 Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if everyone understood the communication that came <br /> 36 with the meals. <br /> 37 Janice Tyler said she thinks so but will have someone from her staff contact individuals <br /> 38 who are eligible for Meals on Wheels. <br /> 39 <br /> 40 A motion was made by Chair Bedford, seconded by Commissioner Fowler, to approve <br /> 41 enough funding for two weeks of the program. <br /> 42 <br /> 43 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 44 <br /> 45 <br /> 46 <br />