Healthy Futures

The AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer Coordinator at the Sedalia Senior Center works very hard to coordinate all of the volunteer drivers (pictured in the gallery) to ensure that homebound seniors (regardless of their ability to pay) in the Sedalia, Missouri area receive a hot meal every weekday and frozen meals for evenings and weekends. The center’s cooking staff prepares all of the food that is delivered. Even though the cooks will freeze the meal, it has been prepared fresh and homemade style. Everyday 12-18 volunteers gather at the center to pack and load 125 meals into their vehicles. The volunteers then go on 6 different routes to deliver the food. Seniors can then microwave the frozen meal to have a hot meal for supper or on the weekends. The center does cater to the special dietary needs of each senior, such as diabetic or no sodium. Every day the center has two meal options, normally option number one is sent out to the homes, but the seniors can call ahead to ask for option number two or for a salad. Once a month every home delivered meal recipient receives a calendar of the upcoming month’s menu options.

Every 6 months, volunteers pack and deliver 4-5 days’ worth of emergency supplies which are provided totally by donations in partnership with Pettis County Health Department, local churches, and schools. The emergency supplies consist of bottled water, canned goods, brochures for what to do in case of a natural disaster, first aid kits, and other disaster preparedness items which are senior friendly.