Teachers Make the Grade As Summer Volunteers

Once again this year, Meals On Wheels of Stark and Wayne Counties welcomes a number of teachers from area schools who are volunteering as drivers during the summer.

Stepping up to deliver meals to homebound residents of Stark and Wayne counties are 20 teachers, from 12 different schools in the region. That's a slight increase over last year. The teachers are scheduled to deliver a total of 104 routes over the summer.

The efforts of these educators is greatly appreciated, because many of our volunteers take time off for vacations during the summer months. The teachers' willingness to serve helps us cover those routes and more. We're grateful for their dedication and involvement.

Appreciation, Training Highlight Spring Volunteer Meetings

To stay connected with our volunteers, this Spring Meals On Wheels of Stark and Wayne Counties scheduled a series of eight Volunteer Meetings at several of the agency's 20 locations in the two-county area. The first meeting was on April 21 in Alliance, and the final session was June 9 at our administrative office building in Massillon.

Mary Marshall, volunteer coordinator, conducted the sessions, which averaged about 20 attendees per site -- for a total attendance of almost 160 volunteers.

Mary provided an update of recent news and events at the agency. It's easy for volunteers to overlook the scope of what they as a group accomplish -- particularly those who assist at our outside locations. When they hear about our full-sized, commercial commissary at the administrative office building, plus the number of meals prepared each day and the number of delivery routes that are covered, it helps them better identify with the size and scope of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties.

Mary also covered important policies and procedures that all volunteers must follow. Volunteers had the opportunity to ask questions and clarify what to do when various circumstances arise.

Lunch was provided at all the meetings courtesy of the CiCi's Pizza restaurants in the area. CiCi's has been a great friend of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties, and we appreciate their support. Several door prizes, donated by area companies, were awarded at the conclusion of each meeting.

NE Ohio Marketing Pros Brainstorm for Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties

During April and May, Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties invited a number of communications and marketing professionals in the area to participate in two strategic brainstorming sessions at our administrative office building in Massillon, Ohio.

Ten marketing pros from the region attended a luncheon meeting on Thursday, April 2. Present were: Mike Boyd, co-owner of Creative Source in Jackson Township; Brian Bradway, owner of Bradway Creative in Alliance; Brian Brinkman, owner of OnTheBrink Creative in Canton; Leslee Dennis, corporate communications assistant at Aultman Health Foundation in Canton; Bob Isenberg, creative director at WRL Advertising in Jackson Township; Aron Kitzmiller, marketing manager at Westfield Belden Village in Jackson Township; Cheryl Molnar, art director at WRL Advertising; Jeff Semple, president of NexGen Sales & Consulting in Canton; Suzie Thomas, director of university relations at Malone University in Canton; and Keeven White, CEO of WhiteSpace Creative in Akron.

CEO Teresa Barry opened the meeting with an overview of the agency and the challenges being faced by meals programs across the country, particularly in the area of attracting and retaining clients. PR Administrator Tom Delamater then led the group through a wide-open discussion of marketing strategies that could be employed by Meals On Wheels, with a focus on keeping costs as low as possible due to current budget constraints.

A comprehensive list of ideas and topics was compiled and distributed by email after the meeting, and participants gave further input based on the list. A follow up breakfast meeting took place on Wednesday, May 27 to review the material and establish some tactics for our staff to use in marketing the agency and its services.

One suggestion was to take advantage of social networking. In addition to our own blog, we have established a presence on Facebook and Twitter, and will begin producing brief videos and posting them on YouTube. There were several other valuable recommendations made that we intend to implement in the weeks and months ahead.

We’re grateful that so many skilled PR and advertising professionals were willing to donate their time to help us as we chart a course for the future -- particularly in these difficult economic times.

Area Foundations Show Their Support

Recently Meals On Wheels of Stark and Wayne Counties received three sizeable grants that, when combined, cover the cost of a new commercial dishwasher for the agency.

We were pleased to receive grants of $20,000 from the Austin-Bailey Health & Wellness Foundation of Canton, $15,000 from the Dominion Foundation of Cleveland, and $10,000 from The Timken Foundation of Canton. The $45,000 total will cover the cost of the dishwasher, which will be ordered this summer and operational by fall.

Our commissary staff prepares as many as 2,000 meals each weekday. Those meals are driven by truck to our 20 locations. From there, volunteers deliver meals to our clients via 64 different routes, while other meals are served to seniors who participate in our congregate dining programs at 14 of the locations.

Our current dishwasher is 12 years old, two years older than its 10-year recommended life span. So it was time to purchase a new one. With the current status of the economy, we did not have the funds for such an expenditure. That is why we are grateful for the support of the Austin-Bailey, Dominion and Timken foundations. Their assistance will literally enable us to remain open and operational, and to continue our vital work in the community.

From the CEO - Overview Letter from Our 2008 Annual Report

We recently published our Annual Report for 2008. Here is the text of the letter from CEO Teresa Barry that appeared in the report:

As I reflect back on 2008, I do so with a sense of gratitude and pride. Gratitude, because so many people in the community, including our many dedicated volunteers, enthusiastically supported the work of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties. And pride, because of the way our staff members rose to the challenges we faced.

The year was ushered in by the “Healthcare Heroes for Nutrition” campaign, sponsored by Aultman Hospital and AultCare. More than 100 of their employees volunteered in January to deliver meals, raising awareness of the nutritional needs of our homebound neighbors while placing the spotlight on our agency and its services.

In March, we participated in the national “March for Meals/Mayors for Meals” campaign, which has its roots right here in Stark and Wayne counties. Seven years earlier we had asked area mayors to spend a morning delivering meals in their communities. The Meals On Wheels Association of America liked the idea so much, it became a nationwide program that now has more than 1,000 mayors participating annually. Locally, 14 mayors from the two-county area delivered meals. And, during the month-long campaign, 47 employees from the Timken Company volunteered to deliver meals for us.

Summer brought with it our annual “Heroes Against Hunger” program. During July and August, 16 police and fire chiefs from area cities and townships pitched in to deliver meals to our homebound neighbors.

Combine all of the above efforts with the ongoing, selfless dedication of more than 300 regular volunteers, and you can understand why we are so grateful for the support we receive.

There were other significant highlights during the year as well. In September, we welcomed Cat Cora of The Food Network’s “Iron Chef America,” who dazzled an audience of 230 guests with an evening of excellent cuisine and entertainment at the Kent State Stark Professional Education & Conference Center. She also spent a morning at our administrative office building, taking the time to tour our commissary and meet our staff before participating in deliveries to several of our clients in Massillon. Chef Cora’s weekend visit also included a book signing event at Border’s on The Strip in North Canton.

At year’s end we conducted our annual pet food drive as part of the “Season of Suppers” campaign, sponsored by the Banfield Charitable Trust. We expanded to 11 collection sites in the area and received more than 5,500 pounds of dog and cat food, which was then distributed to our clients with pets. The drive was such an overwhelming success that we are now prepared to make our collection efforts a year-round program.

Personally, I assumed the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Meals On Wheels Association of America in August. During my two-year term I will have the opportunity to work closely with officials and legislators in the nation’s capitol, while simultaneously drawing greater attention to the work we are doing locally at Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties. It is a testimony to our agency that I have been given this privilege to serve in such a visible and important role, and I am humbled by the opportunity and determined to make a difference.

I spoke earlier of how proud I am of our staff. From our office and commissary personnel to the employees at each of our locations in Stark and Wayne counties, our staff members continue to do more with less. The cost of the two commodities essential to our mission – food and fuel – fluctuated wildly during 2008, making it essential for us to control spending and, in some cases, reduce employee hours or positions. Everyone with the agency assumed a greater work load, and, in so doing, demonstrated tremendous resourcefulness and skill.

It was a challenging year, but also a rewarding one. We remain dedicated to nourishing and enriching the lives of individuals of all ages by providing essential services that promote independent living and dignity. We are deeply indebted to all those who join us in that cause.

Teresa Barry
CEO

Garden Project at Jail Benefits Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties

An innovative project at the Stark County Jail will result in an educational opportunity for inmates and a long-term benefit for the clients of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties.

Under the guidance of Master Gardener volunteers from the OSU Extension, Stark County office in Massillon and the Stark County Farm Bureau, non-violent inmates at the jail are planting a garden to grow vegetables such as beans, peppers, squash, zucchini, tomatoes and radishes. As the produce is harvested it will be delivered to Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties in Massillon, where it will be used in meals prepared for their clients.

"This program utilizes existing land and resources to benefit many people," said Maureen Austin, Ph.D., extension educator for agriculture and natural resources at OSU Extension, Stark County. "Trustees will grow the vegetables, and in the process more people will have a greater understanding of where food comes from. In particular, it will shine a light on Stark County agriculture, which is abundant."

Vegetables from the garden will become part of the meals served to Meals On Wheels clients. "We prepare our meals daily in our on-site commissary," said Nora Logsdon, program manager and dietician for Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties. "Fresh ingredients are essential to our dishes, and the harvest from the garden project will enable us to serve even more people."

The garden measures 30 feet by 90 feet and is located in a fenced area on the west side of the jail, which is located at 4500 Atlantic Boulevard N.E. in Canton. Up to five supervised inmates will work in the garden at any given time for up to two hours a shift, according to Captain Laura Stewart-Johnson of the Stark County Sheriff's Office.

"Our goal is to provide an education for the inmates and be able to give back to the community," said Stewart-Johnson. "The fact that it doesn't cost us or the taxpayers anything is a real plus.

"In addition to the support of the OSU Extension, Stark County office, financial assistance and equipment for the project are being provided by the Stark County Farm Bureau and Hartville Hardware.

"This is an exceptional use of people, land and natural resources," said Nick Kennedy, organization director for the Ohio Farm Bureau for Columbiana, Portage, Stark and Summit counties. "It's a great example of the positive impact agriculture has on the community, and we're proud to support the program."

College Student Donates Cash Award to MOWSW

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties was the surprise recipient of a $150 gift thanks to the service and generosity of a Wayne County college student.

Rebecca Ruff, a senior sociology major at The College of Wooster, was one of two recipients of the 2009 J. Howard Morris and Josephine L. Morris Volunteer Service Award. It is presented annually by the Wooster Volunteer Network and goes to the two students who display the greatest commitment, reliability and initiative toward volunteer service.

Rebecca, who hails from Philadelphia, Pa., was recognized for her volunteer efforts at the Ida Sue School in Wooster, as well as her service on the Wooster Volunteer Network executive board. She received a $150 cash award to donate to the charity of her choice, and she designated Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties (MOWSW).

According to Rebecca, she selected Meals On Wheels because her grandmother had been a volunteer in the 1950s, delivering meals in Butler County, Pa. Rebecca said her grandmother became a client and received home meal delivery in her later years.

MOWSW Volunteer Coordinator Mary Marshall (on the right in the photo, with Rebecca), attended a May 8 ceremony at the college to accept the donation on the agency’s behalf.