By Bill Wolcott/wolcottb@gnnewspaper.com
LOCKPORT — Natalie Tolhurst, one of the “starter-uppers” of the Lockport Meals On Wheels, is still on the job at 82.
“People said it would never go, but a lot of people got interested,” she recalls. The not-for-profit program has delivered meals to needy residents in the city for about 35 years
Now, about 70 people benefit from the non-for-profit program that operates out the Presbyterian Home on High Street. The number varies, according to coordinator Kathy Fahs. The limit is 80.
Tolhurst was the first president and first chairman. She has had all the jobs and knows all the routes. The volunteers pair up for assignments, and Tolhurst works with Chong Friend. Tolhurst drives and Friend delivers.
Tolhurst became interested in Meals On Wheels after reading a story in the church bulletin of many people dying from malnutrition. It wasn’t because of poverty.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “So often when people live alone, they stop cooking for themselves.” It’s not uncommon. She met one woman who only ate pies, because that was the only food delivered. Another lived on sandwiches.
Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals. The cost is $4 for a hot meal or $5 for a hot meal and sandwich. The price of Senior Meals Programs varies. About half of the Lockport recipients get both meals.
More than that, the volunteers also chat, look in, and sing happy birthday — a Fahs requirement.
“You feel like you’re doing something good and meeting people,” Tolhurst said. “It makes people independent a lot longer. Otherwise they would go to a nursing home. You get to know people on the route and get to be friends.”
Tolhurst has saved seniors who have fallen and can’t get up and another who was trapped between fixtures. She has called police for rescues.
For Thanksgiving, recipients’ lunch bags will have a little something extra. The brown bags are personalized with a hand-colored Thanksgiving decoration.
Doni Koukal, a retired school teacher, does the honors in crayon, and Fahs personalizes the bags. Koukal, a packer, has a new theme every month — Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day.
The Niagara County nutrition program is government funded. Lockport Meals On Wheels depends on donations. It’s not uncommon for recipients to leave donations to Meals On Wheels in their wills. Churches make donations.
Some recipients receive meals Monday through Friday. Others just take meals a few days a week.
Volunteers are the key to the program’s success. Twelve volunteers cover six routes in Lockport. Three work in the kitchen. Chris Best is the cook.
“I never realized what was involved,” said Fahs, who has been the coordinator since 2001. “My grandmother used to get it, but since I’ve been working here, it’s amazing. “These volunteers are fantastic. It’s an amazing group.”
Fahs was able to round up volunteers to deliver meals during the surprise ice storm of October 13, 2006, and all the meals got out.
Fahs prepares gift bags on Halloween, Christmas and Easter, with treats for the Dollar Tree. There will be candy, cups, napkins, cards and coloring books.
Art Christensen volunteered into his 90s, before retiring to take care of his wife. Walter Allen, who lost his right arm about 70 years ago, was a longtime volunteer. He is now a resident of the Presbyterian Home.
Doctors, nursing homes and families will recommend Meals-on-Wheels to seniors. There is no waiting list in Lockport, which can take up to 80 people. Briody’s Health Care Facility prepares 20 meals a day for people on special diets.
Niagara County Office for the Aging, 11 Main St., has a program called “Home Delivered Meals.” It delivers meals to the throughout the county, except for the cities of Lockport, Niagara Falls and North Tonawanda.
Niagara County Office for the Aging has diabetic menus, modified sodium, bland and regular meals. Erie County also offers diabetic meals.
Some senior programs offers meals at the center and do not deliver.
Meals On Wheels
& Senior Meals Programs
CITY OF LOCKPORT
Meals On Wheels
Presbyterian Home
327 High St.
Lockport
Phone: 433-6811
(diabetic meals)
NORTH TONAWANDA
Niagara County Office on Aging
110 Goundry St.
North Tonawanda
Phone: 694-2105
Niagara Nutrition
1110 Payne Ave.
North Tonawanda
Phone: 694-1844
Meals On Wheels
100 Ridge Road
North Tonawanda
Phone: 693-1663
NIAGARA FALLS
Meals On Wheels
1920 18th St.
Niagara Falls
Phone: 282-3468
TONAWANDA
Ken-Ton Meals On Wheels
169 Sheridan Parkside Drive
Tonawanda
Phone: 874-3595
Senior Citizens Center
33 Main St.
Tonawanda
Phone 692 7029
TOWN OF TONAWANDA
Senior Center
291 Ensminger Road
Tonawanda
Phone: 874-3266
OUTSIDE THE CITIES
Niagara County Office for the Aging
Home Delivered Meals
111 Main St.
Lockport
Phone: 438-4020, 438-4921
