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To 73-year-old Barbara Browder, Meals on Wheels isn't just a service that provides her with hot meals on a daily basis. It's her freedom. And most importantly, the reason why she is not in a nursing home.
But on March 22, Browder got more than her hot meal delivered to her home--she got a visit from the mayor.
Los Gatos Mayor Diane McNutt was one of 462 mayors nationwide who participated in the first-time event, hosted by the Meals on Wheels Association of America, where mayors delivered the hot meals to the seniors and disabled.
After delivering meals to Los Gatos residents Eugenia and Elmars Blumbergs, McNutt joined Renee Kellythorne, director of Meals on Wheels, and Linda Gallo, Los Gatos Senior Center coordinator, as they headed over to Browder's Los Gatos home.
Browder was bedridden after a recent visit to the hospital, she explained while waiting for the meal to arrive.
As McNutt, Kellythorne and Gallo walked in, Browder's face lit up.
"I'm sorry you have to see me in this predicament," she told the women as they approached her bedside.
With only $130 for food every six weeks, Browder depends heavily on the meals provided to her. "Meals on Wheels is such a wonderful service," she said. Perhaps one of the most beneficial things is that Browder has someone who checks on her on a daily basis. Without it, she is convinced that she would be in a nursing home, which is the last place she wants to be.
"The meals help me maintain my independence," she said. "I'd much rather stay right here, in my own home, than in the hospital or nursing home."
The Health Trust delivers Meals on Wheels to each city in Santa Clara County, and delivers more than 88,000 meals every year to local residents, many of whom live on less than $1,000 per month.
"I really think Meals on Wheels is a good way of identifying people in the community who we can help," McNutt said. "We have a responsibility to watch out for them."
Browder is a bubbly woman who has struggled with her health. With only one surviving relative to depend on, a nephew in Oregon, Browder was having difficulty preparing her own meals. After spending time in and out of the hospital, she learned about the Meals on Wheels program and signed up almost a year ago. Since that time, it has helped her get a more nutritious diet.
Hot meals are delivered Monday through Friday and box lunches are available on the weekends.
The Health Trust teamed with Meals on Wheels in October to provide emergency kits to the residents, to help ensure they would be prepared should a natural disaster hit.
Browder, a recipient of the kit, appreciated the gesture.
"But half the kit is gone now," she said, adding that she ate some of the granola bars and drank the water in the kit, meant to last 72 hours in an emergency.
Kellythorne said that the service is provided without cost, although a $200 monthly contribution is appreciated.
To enroll or to learn more, call 408.961.9870 or 800.505.3367.
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Photograph by George Sakkestad
