Caledon Meals on Wheels

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2024 Dufferin County Community Grant Recipient
$2,000

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The $2,000 grant supported our mission to provide nutritious, freshly prepared meals to vulnerable residents in Dufferin County, addressing food security and promoting health equity. One client who has greatly benefited is a 58-year-old male with advanced COPD, frail health, limited mobility, and a significant swallowing issue.

Living in a subsidized unit where his living space is up a flight of stairs, this client faces considerable challenges. His oxygen dependence and frailty make it extremely difficult to navigate the stairs, especially with his oxygen tank. Our volunteer drivers go above and beyond, delivering his meals directly to his door, ensuring he has consistent access to vital nutrition.

To accommodate his unique dietary needs, our dedicated kitchen staff finely mince his meals and enhance them with broth, sauce, or gravy, ensuring he can safely consume the same high-quality, nutritious meals as our other clients. To further support his enjoyment of food, we provide puddings and applesauce for dessert. While the Meals on Wheels program typically offers one meal per day under subsidy, with the support of this grant we are able to extend the subsidy to allow for two subsidized meals per day. As he expressed, “It is nice to receive two meals a day to help me”.

This initiative aligns with Dufferin County’s Strategic Priorities:

1. Community: Supports vulnerable individuals, reducing isolation and fostering inclusion.
2. Equity: Addresses the specific needs of a marginalized resident, ensuring access to essential services.
3. Governance: Demonstrates effective use of resources to enhance quality of life and reduce health system burdens.

This program exemplifies the profound impact of accessible, tailored nutrition, improving daily life and well-being for those in need in our community.

We continue to see an increase in our subsidy program in the Dufferin area, we do not want to turn anyone away that needs support and hope for continued and increased funds to support our local seniors in need.

Kim Rodrigues
Caledon Meals on Wheels
kim.rodrigues@cmow.org
905-857-7651
www.cmow.org