Global Pandemic 3 Months In, We Need New Volunteers Again
...hey, that rhymes!
When the shelter-in-place orders came down three months ago, we had to ask our delivery drivers who were 65 or older to stay home per public health recommendations. We did a big recruitment push for volunteers and were very fortunate to get a great response from the community--new volunteers signed up in record numbers! At the same time, requests for meals came pouring in too. We have said and so far continue to say "YES" to every single senior who has asked us for help in Oakland and Central Alameda County.

Now, as the county is opening up a step at a time, many of those wonderful volunteers are returning to their jobs and other responsibilities, so
SOS Meals on Wheels is calling upon the community once again.
Do you have 3-4 morning hours to spare at least once a week to help deliver nutritious meals to homebound seniors? Not only will you be contributing to the health and safety of our elderly population, and therefore our community as a whole, but you may find this act of service nourishes you deeply as well. What do you say? Kathy and Cynthia want to know...

Will you join us?
In honor of our volunteers, we would like to highlight one of the newer members of our team of delivery drivers. This is Warren Bishop. He joined us in April as part of a partnership with the ride-sharing platform Lyft (Warren has a 5-star rating--not too shabby!). See below for a blog post he wrote about his experience with SOS Meals on Wheels and a sweet connection he made with a 90 year-old lady on his route. This is the good stuff, folks!
An excerpt from Warren's blog post dated April 25, 2020:
Lyft called and asked if I’d be interested in driving for Meals on Wheels for part of my day, to help and stem a portion of lost income. I’m so glad they did. I now deliver meals to 30 people a day who are either elderly or in great need. It’s been heart warming, purposeful, and more exercise than usual. I checked this morning and I’ve lost 5 pounds in 2 weeks! πŸ™‚
I have a 90 year old lady on my route named Melba. The first day I delivered, she was surprised to see someone new, so asked my name. I introduced myself and explained I was a Lyft driver helping out. She’s greeted me enthusiastically by name every day since. Two days ago, I stopped on my way and purchased a white lily to give Melba as a gift. When I arrived, she was laying down in a side room and sore from a slight fall. I gave her the lily and told Melba the lily reminded me of how she made me feel every day; standing a little taller and shining a bit more brightly. Yesterday, that lily was on the middle of her kitchen table, where I usually find her when I arrive. It was clear it lifted her feelings a bit, which felt wonderful to see.
As difficult as this time has been, haven’t we all seen a bit more humanity entering our lives? A lily here, a song there, photos from our windows on Facebook, cities cheering healthcare workers from their windows, and greater connection with our loved ones. We all want the virus to go away, but I suspect we want to keep some of our new outlook and behavior as we move forward. Let’s think some about that.
Ride confidently.
I have to say it again. Thank you to all of you who are making it possible for SOSMOW to continue to respond to the incredible need for this safety net service in Oakland and Central Alameda County. Through to the end of May, we have seen 61% growth in the number of clients served (1,164 clients in February, 1,872 clients in May), and, 71% growth in the number of meals served (25,256 meals in February, 43,233 meals in May). No small potatoes here. Well, besides the roasted, mashed and O'Brien'd variety.

Stay safe, stay vigilant, stay healthy.

Charlie Deterline, Executive Director