Maintaining a diet high in nutrients is paramount to our health, and that’s why Ross Semple signed up to receive Meals on Wheels.
“My wife passed away about seven years ago and I’m not too much of a cook, and I thought it would be a good thing to get meals like that,” Semple said. “And then I can do my own little bit of cooking if I want to.”
SOS has been providing Meals on Wheels to residents of District 69 for 45 years. The program assists residents who are unable to cook for themselves, residents who are concerned about their nutrition, caregivers who need a break from cooking, residents recovering from surgery and postnatal women.
Last year, SOS volunteers delivered 11,120 healthy meals to local residents. The program was celebrated during the month of October as part of SOS 50th Anniversary celebrations. Clients of the program received SOS mugs with spoons as gifts to mark the occasion.
Semple said the meals he receives are good and healthy.
“If I had stayed making food on my own I would have probably eaten a lot of junk,” he laughed.
Marion McLeod agrees that Meals On Wheels improved her health. She has a restricted diet, so she has to be very careful what she eats.
“I was having trouble getting enough nutrients in my diet,” she explained. Now, she doesn’t have to worry about that, and she is very impressed with the food, she said.
“I love the variety of food, the soups are excellent, and I like that the food is well balanced and it is low in sodium and cholesterol.”
The meals are made in a local, commercial kitchen and SOS volunteers deliver them to clients three times a week. Clients can order up to seven meals a week. Meals cost $7.50 and the rest is subsidized by SOS. Further subsidy may be available through Veterans Affairs Canada.
SOS also celebrated its counselling referral program during the month of October.
The program provides referrals for counselling to low income individuals and couples, assisting people who have clear, short-term goals, where one to five sessions may be appropriate. Situations may include anxiety, depression, marital or parenting difficulties. The cost is based on the client’s financial situation. That program has been running for 40 years at SOS, and last year 130 residents were referred to local professionals.
As part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations, Counselling clients each received a gift of a 20-minute therapeutic, essential oil, hand massage.
For more information on the Meals on Wheels or counselling referral programs visit www.sosd69.com or call 250-248-2093 ext. 225.
- Submitted by Lissa Alexander