How to Keep Food Safe

As the Wheels Turn
A quarterly newsletter for Meals on Wheels and More
How to Keep Food Safe
Please remember our clients are susceptible to food borne illnesses.
You can help prevent this by making sure you wash your hands or
use hand sanitizer before handling meals and also by making sure
that you are using clean, closed insulated bags and coolers. Also,
never mix hot and cold food.
Important points to note:
• Food poisoning causes 76 million illnesses a year.
• Older adults are more susceptible to food borne illness because
they have weaker immune systems, produce less stomach acid to
kill bacteria, are more likely to have chronic diseases, and have sensory loss in their taste buds, reducing their ability to sense spoilage.
• As volunteers, you have the power to keep meals safe during transit.
• Two main objectives - maintaining appropriate temperatures and sanitation.
MAINTAINING TEMPERATURES
SANITATION
• Keep all food in an insulated
cooler or bag.
• Keep coolers & bags tightly
sealed.
• Use a cooler even if you are only
delivering one meal.
• Use separate coolers for hot & cold items.
• Use clean, non-cracked coolers with LIDS.
• Limit the number of times you open the cooler.
• Deliver meals in a timely manner.
• Wash hands with warm, soapy
water or use hand sanitizer before
picking up meals and/or handling
the food.
• Keep your coolers clean. Load the
hot meals flat, not on their sides to
prevent leaks and spills.
• Sanitize your coolers on a regular basis - wash
them out with soap and water or wipe them
down with sanitizer.
Run or Walk and Help Your Clients
Winter 2010
2010 Non-Delivery Dates
Monday, Feb. 15 - President’s Day
Friday, April 2 - Good Friday
Monday, May 31 - Memorial Day
Monday, July 5 - Independence Day Obs.
Monday, Sept. 6 - Labor Day
Monday, Oct. 11 - Volunteer Recognition
Thursday, Nov. 25 - Thanksgiving Day
Friday, Nov. 26 - Day after Thanksgiving
Friday, Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve
Friday, Dec. 31 - New Year’s Eve
Volunteer Opportunities
Unassigned Routes
1st UUC: Fri. 1 route
Central Kitchen: Mon. 2 routes;
Tue. 1 route; Thu. 1 route; Fri. 1 route
Promiseland Church: Tue. 1 route;
Thu. 1 route; Fri. 2 routes
Prince of Peace: Mon., 1 route
St. Mark’s: Mon. 1 route; Tue., 1 route;
Fri. 2 routes
Open Meal Manager Positions
Promiseland: Friday
Prince of Peace: Monday
Pflugerville: Wednesday & Thursday
Office Help
Central Kitchen: 1 to 2 persons, Mon. Fri., 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
HELP US HELP YOU!
Join our Volunteer Focus Group!
Austin American-Statesman’s Cap 10K benefits MOWAM again
Once again, the Statesman’s Cap 10K will benefit
MOWAM this year! What better way to get in shape
and help out the homebound. This year’s race will
take place on Sunday, April 11, 2010. Registration is
open now! Visit www.statesman.com/cap10k to learn
more and sign up!
YOU’RE WORTH MILLIONS!!!
By Theresa Medlin Bella, Assistant Vice President for Volunteer Services
Recently, I read a study that ranked Austinites 9th in
the nation for volunteerism, with each resident giving an average of 42.6 hours a year.
The study showed that volunteers in Austin provided
services worth about $1.2 billion to our city and state
economy. Which got me thinking – what financial impact do our volunteers have on Meals on Wheels and More? The Independent Sector reports that, nationally, the 2008 dollar value of volunteer time is estimated to be $20.25. In Texas, it’s even higher at $20.80.
According to our database, our volunteers contributed a grand total of
99,748 volunteer hours! In Texas, this represents a value of $2,074,748
to our organization and to our community as a whole.
When I did this math, I was amazed. If it were not for your dedication,
we could not operate and provide services at the level and capacity
that we do now. We add an average of 100 new clients to our services
each month and each client requires five new volunteers. We rely on
you to deliver 90 percent of the meals we serve. Without your help, we
would be forced to reduce services and/or find new funding sources
for more paid drivers and staff. For this, I thank all the wonderful
people who give of their time to help the homebound members of our
community!
GRATITUDE
Monday through Friday,
everyone must dine,
So we call and we email
and we ask for your time.
Be it sunshine or rain
or at the last minute,
You always come through and
your hearts are in it.
Our meal delivery program
would be nothing without you,
You bring joy to many individuals
who are lonely and blue.
You become a familiar face,
a friend they rely on to see.
You provide a smile, a listening ear, a
shoulder to cry on - whatever it may be.
All of your hours driving and
meal managing is no small feat,
Because no matter what,
you help ensure that everyone gets to eat.
Without your support, our meal delivery
operations could not sustain,
So we, the Volunteer Services Department,
can never complain.
We respect you, we thank you,
And most of all,
we are grateful for all that you do!
- Theresa Medlin Bella
“Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer.” - Author Unknown
We are so grateful for the time and
support you give to the homebound
individuals in Austin through your
involvement with Meals on Wheels. And
we want to know why you do it!
Our Communications team is seeking
6 to 8 volunteers for a lunchtime focus
group to find out how we can better
informed you.
The focus group will take place on
Thursday, March 11 from Noon to 1 p.m.
at our Central Kitchen Headquarters,
3227 E. 5th Street. Lunch provided.
If you are interested,
please email Sarah Andrews at
sandrews@mealsonwheelsandmore.
org or call 476-6325 x. 131.
MIKE’S PLACE OPENS FEB. 17, 2010 MOWAM, Ray Benson honor Judy
Mike’s Place, Meals on Wheels and More’s new
Maggio & Ron Oliveira
activity center for individuals with Alzheimer’s and
dementia, will officially open its doors on Wednesat Antone’s
day, Feb. 17, 2010. The center will provide entertainment and activity for these individuals and
respite for their caregivers. It is free for participants
to attend. (See article below about St. David’s Community Foundation)
Mike’s Place is named for
Mike Mills (above).
Mike’s Place will be open every Wednesday from
9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the second Saturday of
each month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers needed to help lead activities. If you are interested in volunteering or know someone who is
eligible to attend Mike’s Place, please contact Suellen Mills at 476-6325
x. 130 or email smills@mealsonwheelsandmore.org.
“There is no better exercise for your heart than reaching down
and helping to lift someone up.” - Bernard Meltzer
On Sunday, February 28, 2010, Meals
on Wheels and More will present Judy
Maggio and Ron Oliveira with our Austin Community Keepsake award, which
recognizes individuals who have made
significant contributions to our community. And you’re invited!
Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010
Doors at 7 p.m.
Antone’s, 213 W. 5th Street
Tickets $25
PERFORMANCE BY RAY BENSON OF
ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL!
For more information, visit the News &
Events section of our website.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR 2010 PET WELLNESS FAIR!
For the third year, Meals on Wheels and More, Town Lake Animal Center, Emancipet, and Blue Dog Rescue will
work together to provide free veterinary services to the pets of homebound Meals on Wheels clients.
The pet fair will take place on Saturday, April 17 and Emancipet in East Austin. A brief, mandatory
volunteer orientation will be held on Wednesday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 10 at 12 p.m.
Volunteers must attend one orientation session.
Volunteers must be able to a client’s home travel using their personal vehicles. Volunteers will pick up the
client’s pet (using a crate), transport them to Emancipet for surgery or other services, check them in, and then
return the pets back to their home after their procedures.
If a pet is being spayed or neutered: Volunteers will drop the animal off at the clinic at 8 a.m. and return to
pick up the pet at 6 p.m.
If the pet is in need of preventative services only: Appointment times will be staggered throughout the day. The total time spent transporting
the pet and waiting at the clinic will be no more than 3 hours.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Melissa Holman at mholman@mealsonwheelsandmore.org or 628-8160. Monetary
donations graciously given in advance will be used to provide flea medication to the pets. We could also use donations of small pet carriers.
To donate online, visit www.mealsonwheelsandmore.org/give and please write “PET FAIR” in the comments section of the donation form.
Take the MOWAA Pledge
Congratulations, Bill!
You can help end Senior Hunger
in America by 2020 by joining
hundreds of others in taking the
Meals on Wheels Association of
America pledge. There are nearly
6 million hungry seniors in our
country. Find out how you can
help by visiting www.mowaa.org.
Gratitude
• St. David’s Foundation for supporting Second Meals, Mike’s Place, and
our Nutrition Services Department
• Austin American-Statesman for benefitting our Meals on Wheels
program through the 2010 Capitol 10,000
• Garber Family Foundation for supporting Meals on Wheels
• Najim Family Foundation for supporting Meals for Kids
• Dell, Inc. for supporting Meals for Kids and a corporate delivery team
• Austin Junior Forum for Adopting-a-Day
• Powell Foundation for supporting Meals for Kids
• Finn Family Foundation for supporting Second Meals
• Jacob and Therese Hershey Foundation for supporting Meals on Wheels
• Theodore P. David Charitable Trust for supporting Meals on Wheels
• ECG Foundation for supporting Meals on Wheels
• Rachael & Ben Vaughan Foundation for supporting Handy Wheels
• The Junior League of Austin for their “Done in a Day” project of
wrapping holiday gifts for our clients
• Subaru Share the Love Campaign for supporting Holiday Meals
• Sam’s Club 6453 for supporting our General Operations
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas for
supporting Meals for Kids
From left to right: Suellen Mills, VP for Volunteer Services; Dan Pruett, President & CEO;
Bill Philips,Volunteer; Achie Escobar, Volunteer Coordinator
Congratulations to longtime Meals on Wheels and More volunteer Bill
Phillips for winning the “Salute to Seniors” Award from Querencia at
Barton Creek in January! Bill was recognized by the community for his
volunteerism and service to the community.
Visit our website at www.mealsonwheelsandmore.org/volunteer to see a
video interview with Bill about why he gives his time to Meals on Wheels!
Thanks to St. David’s!!!
Special thanks to St. David’s Community Foundation for funding our
new activity center for individuals
with Alzheimer’s, Mike’s Place. St.
David’s is a terrific partner of Meals on Wheels and More, supporting
our Medi Wheels program, meal program, and much more!