As our area prepares for another winter storm this weekend, an organization dedicated to delivering meals to seniors in Rockland worked hard to make sure no one would go without food.
Meals on Wheels Rockland prepared and delivered extra meals ahead of the storm. News 12’s Diane Caruso tagged along as staff and volunteers hustled to get meals cooked, packed, and delivered.
“So there’s a lot of meals going out in a short amount of time,” said Kevin Hardy, the CEO and president.
Hardy said the organization prepared double, about 2,600 meals, the last two days to ensure seniors would have their usual meal while deliveries are paused. Each client received an extra meal during Fridays delivery.
Hardy said delivering on Monday simply wasn’t possible based on storm projections.
“There’s no way we would be able to get everybody out,” Hardy explained. “Plus, our kitchen starts at 4 a.m. , and with the scheduled snow, they would never be able to get in here Monday to start cooking.”
Hardy personally delivered meals to about a dozen seniors on his route, including Lorraine, of Nanuet.
“This has been a godsend for me,” she said.
Lorraine plans to stay home during the storm and now still has something to eat on Monday thanks to the organization.
“They always think ahead. Never behind,” she added. “They make sure that we’re provided for.”
Beyond delivering food, each visit also serves as a wellness check.
“It’s always important, equally important, to see these people and make sure that they’re OK,” Hardy said. “And obviously from what we did today we see that they're good. They’re grateful. They understand that we won’t be there on Monday, but they have a meal, which is vitally important.”
Meals on Wheels of Rockland plans to be back doing their regular deliveries Tuesday.