Meals on Wheels now in Jupiter after North County Meals folds
On Wednesday, lunch in the Horan household consisted of a cold pasta salad, sliced cucumbers and threebean salad paired with bread and an orange.
It was the second meal the couple had received from Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches since the organization took over North County Meals’ Jupiter clients earlier this month.
“It’s a nice relief to get good meals on a regular basis,” Joseph Horan, 87, said. “You can only eat so many sandwiches.”
Joseph and Alice Horan have been married for 66 years and have lived in Jupiter for 19. Their home is dotted with memorabilia, including the original document which shows his mother was the first woman admitted to the bar in New York’s Nassau County. The year was 1918, two years before women won the right to vote.
The Horans have three children: Kevin, Stephen and James.
“( James is) a good cook,” Joseph said. “He destroys the kitchen, but he’s a good cook.”
Alice has Parkinson’s disease, which limits her mobility. Three years ago, Joseph was being treated for two kinds of cancer: prostate and lymphoma.
“I was kind of bummed out mentally,” he said.
That’s where North County Meals came in, three times a week.
North County Meals director Lori Vassalotti had been involved with the organization since 1981. It was made up of five churches, but over the years the organization needed help with consistency in meals and volunteers.
In 2015, Meals on Wheels took over North County Meals’ coverage of Lake
Park, North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens. Now, 15 clients in Jupiter will receive meals from Meals on Wheels, marking the end of North County Meals.
Between work and taking care of her mother-inlaw, Vassalotti said Meals on Wheels’ offer to take over came at the right time.
“I think a lot of our people are sad it’s over,” Vassalotti said. “It’s not what it was 30 years ago.”
Some North County Meals volunteers have transitioned to Meals on Wheels. Mike Greene, who delivered the Horans’ meal, is one of those volunteers.
Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches, a member of the national organization, serves 200 people age 65 and older, including the new Jupiter clients. More than 60 percent are 85 and older.
Pam Calzadilla, president and CEO of the local branch, said increased life expectancy brings about challenges later in life.
“You didn’t expect to live to 90 years old. How do you budget for that?” Calzadilla said. Clients pay on a sliding scale based on income and expenses, she added, and food stamps are accepted.
Last year, Meals on Wheels gave out 45,000 meals, and the organization expects to give 60,000 this year. With the projected increase in meals, Calzadilla said the organization needs more volunteers. Anyone interested can visit www.mowpb.org or call volunteer coordinator Stefanie Raifman at 561802-6979,
“The meal is definitely nourishing, but the compassion, the person who’s visiting every day is the thing they look forward to,” Calzadilla said.
Joseph Horan calls the thrice-weekly meals a “Godsend.”
Though he’s in remission, he welcomes the meals because he gets a break from cooking.
“It’s great to not have to do that every day,” he said.