At 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, the delightful aroma of roasting turkey wafts through the commercial kitchen at the Costick Center in Farmington Hills, as Renee Lewis pulls foil-wrapped packages out of the oven.
Lewis, a staff member, is preparing a holiday dinner for 37 home-bound senior citizens who might not otherwise have a special meal – or even a visitor – for the holiday. And once she leaves the Costick Center kitchen, Lewis will go home and cook dinner for 20-25 of her own family and friends.
The Meals on Wheels dinner includes turkey and gravy, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, green beans, cranberry relish, salad, a roll with margarine and pumpkin pie.
"And then we always throw in a surprise," says Senior Adult Supervisor Marsha Koet, who with her husband Brian, another staff member and her husband will also be packing meals.
"Three volunteers yesterday helped pack the cold portion of the meal," Koet says. Five volunteers drivers will start arriving at around 10:30 a.m. to deliver the meals.
About 100 volunteers help bring Meals on Wheels to around 150 seniors each day. Having drivers check recipients' welfare is also important Koet said, adding that over the past year, drivers have had to call in some kind of assistance for three seniors in trouble.
"This program could not survive without volunteers," she says.
Meal packers and drivers are needed on a daily basis. To volunteer, call 248-473-1825.
