For 30 years, Meals on Wheels delivers food, smiles

By CAROLE VERONA

When Anthony Chicone celebrated his 100th birthday, Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels was there. Not only did the organization’s volunteers deliver lunch and dinner to Mr. Chicone and his 99-year-old wife, Eleanor, but they also brought a balloon and a birthday present to help him celebrate this milestone. “Meals on Wheels has been a great help to us over the years,” he said, “particularly because it eliminates preparation of the major meal of the day.” And at 100 and 99 respectively, the Chicones have better things to do with their time.

Managed by an 11-person board, Meals on Wheels is an independent organization that delivers two meals a day to people who for one reason or another cannot cook for themselves. Some clients are elderly; others may be disabled or temporarily unable to care for themselves. “For a few of our older clients who live alone, it’s not just about the food,” observed board member Casey von Seldeneck. “With no family around, Meals on Wheels volunteers are often their only daily contact with the outside world.”

Approximately 50 volunteers a week, traveling two by two, wend their way through Chestnut Hill, Oreland, Flourtown, Erdenheim and Wyndmoor. They deliver 70 meals a day to 35 clients. That adds up to 350 meals a week, close to 17,000 a year. As an added feature, every Wednesday clients receive a complimentary copy of the Chestnut Hill Local, thanks to the Chestnut Hill Community Fund.

Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels will celebrate its 30th anniversary this fall. The organization receives funds primarily from the Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging and private foundations. To supplement donations, clients pay $27 a week for the delivery of two meals every day, including holidays.

“Our volunteers are a happy bunch of people who love to come every week. Many are retired, but we also have a few who are parents of pre-school children. For them it’s an ideal volunteer opportunity because they can take their kids along for the ride,” von Seldeneck added.

Every Friday morning, retirees Ed Hine, Tom Conboy, Henry Braun and Roy Hanshaw meet for breakfast in the cafeteria at Chestnut Hill Hospital before taking to the road. This brotherhood of four enjoys the camaraderie and friendship they’ve developed with one another as Meals on Wheels volunteers. They also provide an invaluable service by looking for anything out of the ordinary when visiting their clients.

Henry Braun, of Oreland, a retired manager of engineering, was recruited as a Meals on Wheels volunteer by a friend. “While delivering meals, I’ve come across people in dire straits who really need help. I bring the information back to the office, where it is handled immediately.” Treacy Edwards, office administrator, follows up by referring the case to the appropriate resource, whether it is a social worker, a city councilperson or a representative of the gas or electric company. She maintains an up-to-date guidebook in the office, with names and emergency contact numbers.

Roy Hanshaw, a retired public relations director and chairman of Chestnut Hill Meals on Wheels, was also recruited by a neighbor. “I enjoy helping people less fortunate. Sometimes I wonder where the friends and relatives of these people are. Some of them shouldn’t be living alone.” Roy tells the story of delivering meals to two elderly sisters. “There was no heat in the house and it was freezing in there. They said they were waiting for the gas company to come. I reported the situation to the office. Treacy called the gas company and got the heat turned back on.”

Retired sales engineering manager Ed Hine has been a Meals on Wheels volunteer for 13 years. “When you open the refrigerator and see that food from the last few days is still there — unopened and uneaten — then you know the person needs help. I feel good knowing that I can report this to the office and make a difference in that person’s life.”

Tom Conboy, a retired claims manager, has been involved for 11 years and has helped quite a few people get into assisted living. “When I went into one house, I had to make a path through piles of mail and newspapers to get to the kitchen. Hollywood couldn’t have built a better prop.”
The Meals on Wheels office is located at Chestnut Hill Hospital, where the meals for clients are prepared. For further information, call 215-248-0660.