SVP’sMealsonWheelsnever morevitalthaninits45thyear
IT’S a conflicted celebration that sees the Listowel branch of the Society of St Vincent de Paul marking the 45th year of its ‘Meals on Wheels’ service.
On the one hand is the branch’s pride in the longevity of such a vital service that has made all the difference to so many people over the decades.
But on the other hand, it’s a service that has never been under more pressure with demand surging amid a virus that has completely shut off the charity’s two regular sources of income.
All that said, the hard-working committee behind the work of the SVP in Listowel have risen to the crisis, and not only are they managing to do the same with far less – they’re only managing to meet the expanding need!
On that note, they certainly have a hell of a lot to celebrate as the ‘Meals on Wheels’ service hits 45.
“St Vincent de Paul has been serving the community in Listowel since 1937, and we are celebrating 45 years of providing Meals on Wheels in a service that was launched in 1975 to provide our senior citizens and housebound with daily dinners,” Listowel President Hannah Mulvihill told The Kerryman.
“Our Meals and Wheels service continues to operate from our Day Centre in The Plaza, where freshly cooked dinners, using locally sourced produce, are prepared daily by Val and Martina and delivered by a group of dedicated voluntary drivers.”
The feedback from clients is unequivocal, all huge fans of Martina and Valerie’s culinary skills, which provide the most wholesome of fare. Currently, the service caters to roughly 300 in the greater Listowel area on a weekly basis, Monday to Friday.
“During the present COVID-19 crisis, we are very happy to be able to continue this service both to our existing people and also our new people. Staff and volunteers strictly adhere to the HSE COVID-19 guidelines,” Hannah explained.
Treasurer Marie Mulvihill said that demand rose sharply once the lock-down came into effect, with the elderly forced to cocoon.
“Demand has increased greatly, not just for Meals on Wheels, but from families getting in touch looking for support as well.
“Our major problem is that the COVID measures effectively brought a halt to both our regular income streams, with the shop and the weekly bingo forced to close.”
But the people of Listowel remain as generous as ever in the Society’s fight to improve circumstances for so many people, Marie said.
Hannah reiterated the point: “While we get some help from the HSE, we are mainly indebted to our generous benefactors. We continue to support families and individuals in our community as usual.
“We respond to people through our emergency phone numbers. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our volunteers, workers, and the conference members for their dedicated service during these very challenging times.
“By their work, they are a true inspiration to all of us,” Hannah said. Marie said that donations have the effect of helping the local economy too. “It helps that people know that everything we raise will be spent in the locality, so it benefits everyone vouchers as weeobers obtain and goods from so many shops and always strive to be very fair in the way we distribute our support.” The COVID measures have also hit the charity’s ability to visit people who have appealed for help, in order to better assess their needs. But they are managing to maintain the service over the phone.
That’s a key message: the St Vincent de Paul in Listowel is there like never before for those who need help. Donations meanwhile are received with deep gratitude.