Tri-Valley clients volunteer to deliver Meals on Wheels

Each weekday morning, three Tri-Valley Developmental Services clients and a staff member knock on doors of new friends, announcing that Meals on Wheels is here.

According to Tri-Valley officials, the organization's clients are serving as volunteers with the meals program in Fort Scott.

"I'm excited to have the clients helping make deliveries," according to Jackie Sellers, the manager of the Senior Citizens Center that oversees the Meals on Wheels program. "We are always looking for more involvement from the community, and the clients really enjoy it. They're always excited when they arrive in the mornings, and are very sure they have everything they need to take with them before they leave to make calls."

Tri-Valley staff agree the clients take their volunteer duties seriously.

"They love it," Tri-Valley Day Services Supervisor Alene Jolly said. "They take turns getting to deliver the meals and one client told me the other day that he was supposed to deliver them every day. He likes doing it so much that he didn't want to take turns."

Staff members use the experience to teach social skills as well as the value in giving back to the community.

"I enjoy it very much," Tri-Valley client Cliff Kendrick said. "I like helping people. It's important."

Delivering the meals also gives the clients the chance to show concern for others.

Clients Diane Fryda and Linda Baird enjoy knocking on doors, and are always anxious to say "Good morning" and deliver the hot meals.

"It's good that we do this," Baird said. "They might not get a meal if we didn't."

Originally, the clients delivered to one location, but more drops have been added to their route, the agency statement said.

"I've had good comments from people," Sellers said. "The Tri-Valley clients are doing a good job, and it's also helped us, because there are never enough volunteers."

For the Tri-Valley clients, there are never enough ways to give back to the community, and delivering meals brightens the morning for everyone involved.