Write a commentSarah Babcock, Support Services Specialist for Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) was a recent guest speaker at the luncheon meeting of the Oswego Rotary Club held at Bishop’s Commons.
Club President Dr. David Granoff introduced the program.
According to the website, www.OCO.org, “Since 1974, OCO Nutrition Services programs have provided over 10 million meals to senior citizens aged 60 and older and their spouses, regardless of income, adults under 60, and youth. All meals are available throughout the county via the home delivered meals program, afterschool sites and summer food service sites as well as at any of the six dining and activity centers.”
Meals either follow the USDA meal pattern requirements or are planned by a registered dietitian that follows the recommended dietary allowance. The meals are prepared fresh daily by a professional staff in a kitchen in Mexico and delivered by a network of dedicated volunteers to homes and dining centers around the county. About 1,500 meals are prepared each weekday. One of the challenges is preparing kid-friendly foods that will be eaten. Tacos and chicken nuggets are among the favorites.
Programs are partially supported through grants from: Oswego County Office for the Aging, NYS Office for the Aging, and the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Inc.
Anyone wishing to receive Meals on Wheels for themselves or someone else, must first meet at their home with a case worker from the Office for the Aging, who will assist in filling out the application. The case worker will assess the applicant’s needs for any other services and secure some necessary information. Service can usually begin about three days after that.
OCO provides a great many services to people of Oswego County besides Meals on Wheels. Information can be found at the website noted above. There are also many opportunities for people who would like to volunteer to help their neighbors.
This reporter along with other Rotarians have been delivering Meals on Wheels in Oswego every Tuesday, our regular meeting day, for at least the past 42 years and it was ongoing before that.
Anyone interested in becoming a Rotarian or to learn more about Rotary’s humanitarian work around the world and in the community is invited to attend a meeting of the Oswego Rotary Club any Tuesday at noon at Bishop’s Commons. The building is fully accessible with convenient parking. Visiting Rotarians and guests are always welcome and may reserve lunch by contacting [email protected].
