Meals on Wheels Sanford Inc.
In 1973, Church Women United, made up of church women in Sanford started Meals on
Wheels by delivering 3 meals per day, 5 days a week. These dedicated women met monthly
to organize and manage this service. When Church Women United disbanded, volunteer
women decided to continue this vital service.
The late Orton Cameron, a prominent attorney in Sanford, wrote the governing ordinances
for the new organization, “Meals on Wheels of Sanford, Inc.” in 1985. The Officers
and Board of Directors along with representatives from the five churches who participate
now meet at The First Presbyterian Church on the second Thursday of each month.
Now our organization is designed to serve residents within the city limits of Sanford
who live alone or who are unable to go to the grocery store or are unable to cook
for themselves. People who are recovering from surgery, handicapped or other physical
limitations would also qualify. We work closely with Lee County Social Services,
the hospital and others who recommend clients to us. The meals are prepared at Central
Carolina Hospital honoring special diet requests.
Recipients are asked to pay what the hospital charges Meals on Wheels. If they are
unable to pay this amount, the difference is subsidized with funds from volunteer
donations.
The Meals on Wheels program now serve a noon meal for up to 50 people five days
a week for a total of 13, 000 meals per year. Deliveries require 10 volunteers each
day or about 3,000 volunteers per year.
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