Local Meals on Wheels programs may be encountering some issues, but running out of room for more clients is not one of them.
Mary Pataky, program director with the Butler County Meals on Wheels, said it's been quite some time since they've had to use a waiting list for clients.
“It's been many years,” she said. “Currently, we have about 115 clients, and we can go up to as high as 150.”
A recent CBS report said that some Meals on Wheels programs across the country are starting wait lists for the first time because of a lack of funds and volunteers.
Local organizers for Meals on Wheels said that while they can always use more of both, they're not in danger of needing a waiting list.
“I always hope to get the word out so that people know that we're here and that we're available should they need the help,” Pataky said.
Lois Folino, chairwoman of the Aspinwall Meals On Wheels, said that if her organization ever had a waiting list it would look for ways to expand. It serves Aspinwall, Fox Chapel, Sharpsburg, Blawnox and O'Hara.
“I think the maximum would be probably 75,” Folino said. “If we got more, we'd just have to make better arrangements.”
Folino said one concern has been the rising cost of food and paper products. Aspinwall increased prices for clients by 50 cents a day, to $6.50 as a result.
“We need a lot of paper goods,” she said. “People don't think of it but those trays, the lids and the bags — they're expensive.”
Folino said she hasn't received any complaints from clients about the increase.
Folino and Pataky both said the rising cost of gasoline isn't a problem for them because volunteers use their own cars and gas. Neither has heard complaints.
Loree Allera, who oversees the kitchen at the Vandergrift Meals on Wheels, said her groups could use more volunteers to deliver food. Vandergrift's program tries to offset the cost of drivers' gas by giving them gift cards.
“It helps a little bit,” she said. “The people that we have are dedicated.”
Vandergrift Meals on Wheels serves about 70 clients in Vandergrift, Allegheny Township, Hyde Park and West Leechburg. Allera said that they can serve up to 100 clients.
“We're pretty well on our way,” Allera said. “We have no problems.”
Mary Czemerda, program director of the Lower Burrell Meals on Wheels, said client numbers have actually gone down in the past few years, from 135 to about 90 clients. Czemerda attributes the decrease to more assisted-living facilities in the area.
“What we're finding is 10 years ago when an individual went to the hospital, they came home,” she said. “Now, they're going to assisted living.”
Czemerda said the organization is doing well financially and has plenty of volunteers who help get meals to clients in Lower Burrell, Arnold and part of New Kensington.
“We're even taking care of those who cannot afford to pay for their meals,” she said.
Czemerda said that last time the organization had a waiting list was 10 years ago, when she took over as director. Since then, the organization has purchased commercial cooking appliances to allow more clients to be served.
“We could really do more than 135 now,” she said.
Ray DuCoeur, director of the Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging, said the home-delivered meals they provide help supplement the local Meals on Wheels programs, delivering to areas where there may not be a Meals On Wheels location or in an area with a high volume of clients.
“We'll take care of them up until the local Meals on Wheels can do it,” he said.
He said the agency serves about 425 people each day. DuCoeur said that demand is rising, but there is no waiting list.
Emily Balser is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-7710 or ebalser@tribweb.com.
