Meals on Wheels of Jefferson County is proud to serve the homebound, ill and elderly population in need in our area a hot, balanced meal five days a week.

Oftentimes, we don’t see or hear the voices of the neediest in our community-especially the homebound. But their needs are great, and their isolation is very real.

Meals on Wheels of Jefferson County serves more than just a meal; we make a human connection with those who can’t leave their home due to illness or age. Sometimes, our Meals on Wheels volunteer is the only human contact they get that day.

One couple who lives off Route 230, have been married for more than 30 years. The husband can’t cook; he spends most of his day caring for his beloved wife who has a seizure disorder. Meals on Wheels provides them each with a meal five days a week, so that they can continue to live together in their home-like they have for so many years. Another man, who lives down by the river off Bakerton Road, spends all of his time caring for his wife who has Alzheimer’s and is confined to a wheelchair. He is steps from the river, but never gets to use his fishing boat anymore. His wife’s care takes up all of his time. The Meals on Wheels volunteers bring them both a meal five days a week. The volunteers are usually the only people he sees all day other than his wife, who spends her day dozing or feeling confused.

There are so many more stories like theirs. Each person, so reliant the kindness of the Meals on Wheels volunteers, and the hot, balanced meal that they receive each day.

So, how can you help us continue to help those who are most needy in our community?

There are many ways to get involved with Meals on Wheels of Jefferson County. First, you could volunteer to be a packer or a driver. Packers help prepare the food bags, by filling them with meals, drinks, and so on. Drivers are assigned delivery routes and then take the food bags and deliver the hot meals to the needy and homebound of Jefferson County, Monday through Friday. Both jobs take about two hours. You can work as often or little as you like, taking a shift of a day or more.

If you can’t volunteer, you can always send in a monetary donation or attend one of our upcoming events:

Barn Dance: Calling all square dancers! Join the Panhandle Square Dance Club for its first dance of the season! This event is on Sept. 6, from 1-9 p.m. at the historic Wild Goose Farm, 2935 Shepherd Grade, near Shepherdstown. There will be music from the Jefferson County High School Jazz Ensemble, Squares with callers, and more. A $15 donation is suggested at the door and the Independent Fire Company Auxiliary will sell food at the event.

Annual Soup and Sandwich Sale & Craft Fair: Who doesn’t like soup on a crisp autumn day? Come, join us October 4th, from 8 am 4 p.m. at the Charles Town Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall on the Corner of Washington and Mildred Streets. We will be selling homemade vegetable beef and navy bean soups until 4 p.m. (or until the soup is gone) and country ham sandwiches. Also, we’re having a craft fair from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Local crafters, please contact us before September 1st if you are interested in having a table at our craft fair.

Super Hero Soiree: Do you want to be a super hero for the community for a day? Then join us for our first Super Hero Soiree! The event is October 25th from 6-8 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church in Williams Hall, located at 110 W North Street in Charles Town. Tickets are $25 and will go on sale soon. The night will include a steak dinner, music by the Jefferson High School Jazz Ensemble, a silent auction, a super hero costume concert, and free babysitting (with pizza and a movie for the kids). For more information, see the event site: www.facebook.com/SuperHeroSoiree

If you any questions about any of our events, or you are ready to help make a difference in someone’s life (by volunteering or donating) and maybe change your own life in the process, please call the MOW-JC office at 304-725-1601 between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. and talk to Patsy or Evelyn. Or, see our Facebook Site: www.facebook.com/pages/Meals-on-Wheels-of-Jefferson-County