A Message From the Executive Director

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU

Many of you are feeling extra anxiety these days due to the COVID-19 pandemic... you are not alone. This has us facing stress and uncertainty and we worry about our friends and loved ones near and far. One thing you don't have to worry about is the meal program here at Meals on Wheels of Solano County.

We have expanded our services to provide meals to those age 60 and older who are sheltering at home and there is no wait list at this time. We have implemented safety precautions with safe distancing when meals are delivered and when available, we bring hard to access items such as toilet paper and paper towels to those without.

Community members and businesses continue to reach out for ways to help, and Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers are committed to the important work of feeding our community seniors. Deliveries may run late, but we will be there.

Like you, I feel the enormity of the situation and it can be overwhelming. Times like these tend to bring out the best and worst in people. At Meals on Wheels, we are seeing so much of the best of humanity and this makes our community stronger.

We don't know when... we won't be the same when it does... but this too shall pass, and we will be ok. What I do know is that WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. Today, tomorrow, and for hopefully many years to come. We may 6 feet apart, but we are in this together.

 

Laurie Hartmann
Executive Director


4/6/2020 Update: Health & Safety Plan

As you all know, the situation is incredibly fluid. As a result, we are constantly monitoring the latest COVID-19 updates from a variety of governmental and health agencies, including the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Meals on Wheels Solano County knows the critical importance of preparation in times like this. We are prepared to deal with the coronavirus and urge you to not panic. MOWSC staff is concered about what a large outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Solano County could mean for you, our clients and volunteers. We have put prevention and response plans into place.

We are following health officials' recommended steps to protect against coronavirus. Staff has been trained appropiately and we are cleaning the delivery bags, door handles, tabletops, and other surfaces more than once a day. We have prepared materials for our volunteers that will help follow CDC's preventative actions which will hep protect you.

We are asking you to adhere to the CDC recommended preventative actions:

  • Wash hands often and for at least 20 seconds; especially after using the restroom and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • Covering your cough or sneeze with your arm; when a tissue is used, discard it appropriately.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Please notify MOWSC staff if you are sick and contact your doctor.
  • Frequently clean and disinfect all touched objects and surfaces using a regular cleanser, bleach, wipe or spray.
  • Do not shake hands, hug, or touch people. Special care should be taken when interacting with everyone including family, friends, or visitors.
  • If you are not feeling well or those who may have a weaker immune system should stay home. Do not go out except when necessary. Contact your doctor or healthcare provider immediateley.

While we do not anticipate disruption in service at this time, our team will prepare frozen meals and extra shelf stable packages to deliver to clients as needed. You, our senior meal recipients and volunteers who help provide this service remain our utmost concern. It is our hope that an end to this outbreak comes soon. Until then, Meals on Wheels of Solano County will continue to be the safety net for our community of home-bound and vulnerable persons.

 


DELIVERY PROCEDURES

Volunteers, to minimize risk of exposure during meal deliveries:

  1. Wear gloves and a mask when handling food.
  2. Place meals on doorstep or hang from doorknob.
  3. Ring bell, knock, or call client on the phone.
  4. Wait a safe distance (at least 6 feet) from the door or in your vehicle until client or caregiver answers the door and takes meals. If no one ansers, please retreive meals and place back in cooler.

While this may not be feasible in every situation, please discuss specific client concerns with MOWSC staff to develop a plan.

 


DONATIONS

In this time of social distancing, the senior population is at a higher risk from the Coronavirus (Covid -19) and are in need of support from the community. Please join MOW Solano County by donating any non-food, personal hygiene items that we can distribute to our elderly clients: 

  • Small bottles of hand sanitizer
  • Individually packaged sanitizing wipes
  • Gloves
  • Toilet paper (individually wrapped or 4-packs)
  • Incontinence supplies (adult diapers, etc.)
  • Cleaning products
  • Personal hygiene products
  • Dry pet food
     
Any donation is greatly appreciated and can be brought to 95 Marina Center, Suisun City between 9:00 AM through 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.

If you are not able to donate an item, but still want to help, please consider making a donation or becoming a monthly donor so that we can continue delivering meals to vulnerable seniors.