What ideas do you conjure up when you hear “Meals on Wheels?” Do home delivered meals, seniors in need, or community service come to mind? If so, sprinkle those ideas with thoughts of dedicated individuals, charitable donations, generous local churches and organizations, and you will have the elements of our story.
We are the Blackhawk Area Meals on Wheels (BAMOW), celebrating over seven successful years of making an impact in our community. We our guided by a single goal – to help our senior neighbors live more nourished lives in their own home.
A Whole Lot of Thanks
Previously known as Chippewa Meals on Wheels and operated by Lutheran services, our program was unfortunately discontinued in 2013.
Full of hope and a desire to reopen, volunteers came together in May of that year to find a way to operate independently to continue serving the community.
In order to get that ball rolling, we were in need of funding to pay for insurance, food, supplies, a cook, and a variety of operating expenses. And as we faced the time-consuming hurdle of filing documents to set up a non-profit business entity, we asked ourselves, “Can we take on this mission?” Blessed with many resources to aid our planning and cover our costs, the answer was “YES!”
Our gratefulness extended to all of the steadfast volunteers and kind individuals near and far whose time, effort, and charitable contributions helped make this happen. By November 2013, we were again ready to serve.
BAMOW started out with 30 clients that year and we now proudly serve approximately 50+ seniors.
Along with only one paid employee, our cook, we are thankful for the 50 or so committed and caring volunteers who keep our service running.
This is Us
Our program is designed to help those who live within the Blackhawk School District who have limitations in preparing or shopping for meals. We are also available to folks of any age who are homebound recovering from a recent hospital stay or surgery.
Cindy packing cold lunches for recipients.
We have helped to make a difference in the lives of those who no longer have the ability to drive to the grocery store or whose mobility around their home has become difficult. We are also able to offer peace of mind to seniors who are worried about planning and/or preparing complete meals to eat each day, as well as to their loved ones.
BAMOW operates out of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church on Darlington Road. There, we have access to a large kitchen and preparation area which allows us to handle the meal prep for our clients.
Barb Jablonski is our kitchen cook and does an excellent job preparing healthy and hearty meals. She is assisted by kitchen volunteers who help in various ways with food preparation and packing.
Numerous people have commented that the food looks so good! Picture meatloaf garnished with an orange slice and a sprig of parsley, cheesy hash browns, and green bean casserole. Most would agree this is a visually appealing food dish.
On each of the five week days, our clients receive both a well-balanced bag lunch and a hot three-course tray meal. In addition, a quart of milk is provided once a week.
Some time in the late morning our trusted drivers make deliveries and have a quick friendly visit with our recipients. The majority of our recipients live alone, so for many of them the trusted Meals on Wheels volunteer is the only person they see or speak with all day. Having a special delivery to look forward to can be a great motivator to get up in the morning.
Together We Can
BAMOW wants to share our story, in part, because support for our cause is always welcomed and appreciated. There are a few ways that you can get involved with helping BAMOW serve our community.
We’d like to reach out to those of you who are Amazon shoppers in hopes that you will use AmazonSmile. You shop, Amazon gives – it’s that easy.
- Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of the eligible AmazonSmile purchases you make to a nonprofit of your choice
- AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service.
- What’s the catch? There is none! You shop as you normally would on the site. You don’t need to make a separate account.
Use Amazon Smile to benefit BAMOW.
ALWAYS start by going to smile.amazon.com. When first visiting, you will be prompted to select a charitable organization.
Type in “Blackhawk Area Meals on Wheels,” which will then automatically appears upon each return visit.
The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% to BAMOW, and since they are directly making the donation for you, there is no cost to you!
If you would prefer to donate to BAMOW by mail, you may send a check to the following address:
BAMOW
P.O. Box 1573
Beaver Falls, PA 15010
If you’re interested in participating as a kitchen or driving volunteer, please contact Rita Hammerle at 724-513-9812.
For more information about how to sign yourself or a loved one up to receive meals, please call Wilma Uebelacker at 724-843-6646.
Together we can continue enabling seniors in our community to have access to adequate nutrition so we can help them extend their independence and health as they age. Our program is a rewarding way to do that.
You can bet we want to stick around for at least another 7 years – or more!
