President’s Message

Elder Care Services is growing so more seniors can thrive! Vulnerable seniors in Leon County scored a huge win this legislative season with the State accepting Elder Care Services’ proposal for $990k to refurbish and expand our Meals on Wheels kitchen. For a non-profit to have this type of capital investment in our operations is nothing short of a miracle as most of our activities are grant-based reimbursements with fundraising supplementing those grants. Yet, none of this could have happened if it were not for the support and advocacy of our local State elected officials- Representative Allison Tant and Senator Corey Simon. We are fortunate to have such staunch advocates for seniors living in our backyard. Their efforts, and the support from Governor DeSantis to allow this funding, is a game-changer for seniors in the Big Bend.

Elder Care Services has been serving the older adult population for over 54 years. In that time, we have honed how we do business, and have provided critical support to those over 60 who chose to live in the comfort of their homes, despite any medical, physical, or financial limitations. As the CEO of this incredible legacy social service agency, I truly believe that it is my current task to buoy the efficacy of our organization and poise us to help seniors for the next 50 years.

We lovingly refer to Meals on Wheels as our flagship program, as it was the first program developed at Elder Care, and is our most well-known service. Every weekday in our industrial kitchen, we prepare hot, fresh meals that meet a third of the Recommended Daily Allowance for seniors. Each menu is crafted with the help of a dietician and feedback from those who receive meals. We take pride in our delicious food and love to hear that recipients think it is tasty too. After we cook our meals, we package them with care into coolers, and then a fleet of volunteers deliver them, along with a warm smile and friendly visit, to seniors in every area of the city.

It is that daily check-in that makes a world of difference for our clients. Back in the day, cultural consensus suggested that one should do crossword puzzles to keep your brain active after retirement. And while I love crossword puzzles (proud subscriber to the New York Times games suite here!), more recent studies show that the true key piece to keeping your brain active, your body healthier, and your social skills up to par, is having conversations and social interaction. For those who live alone, the risk of social isolation is real, but that is where our fabulous volunteer squad steps in. Our volunteers fill the critical role of reducing social isolation while also providing extra safety to clients. In the past, we have found seniors who fell over the weekend and no one was aware until our Meals on Wheels volunteer arrived. Our incredible volunteers also report back to our case managers any changes or needs that the client may have. They bring flowers to Meals on Wheels recipients on Valentine’s Day, and they bring holiday cards in December. They bring a hot, fresh, delicious meal, a warm smile, and a caring attitude each week of the year.

Now you may see why we say Meals on Wheels is more than just a meal. It is a lifeline to the world for many and that is why we are so grateful to the State of Florida for helping us improve our kitchen so we can prepare even more meals for seniors who need them. We hope that you too will come alongside this impactful community service and help us grow so more seniors can thrive.