The Park and Recreation Department’s senior meals and Meals on Wheels programs got some much-needed support thanks to an emergency donation from the Guilford Rotary Club.

According to Park and Recreation Directory Rick Maynard, both programs were in danger of a funding deficit due to rising costs, including those for food and disposable tableware. He said the Department is continually looking for funding for the various meals programs, all prepared at the Community Center and partly supported by the senior meals program.

“Due to the rise in cost for food, we are experiencing a deficit in the budgeted account for senior meals. Meals are prepared by Parks and Recreation kitchen staff for seniors who come to the Community Center for lunch, as well as for Meals on Wheels meals that are delivered by Guilford Interfaith Volunteers. We project to prepare over 45,000 meals this fiscal year,” said Maynard. “In addition to lunches, the kitchen staff prepares breakfast five days per week that is open to all, and the net revenue from the breakfasts helps subsidize the lunches.”

Maynard said his Department is finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with rising food and materials costs. He praised the Rotary for its swift action and commitment to the community.

“We are at a point where we are losing about $2 a meal with what we are charging. Food costs have just skyrocketed, but it’s also the forks and plates and napkins. Everything has just skyrocketed in price,” Maynard said. “So, we talked to the Rotary about a donation, and there was no hesitation from them. There was zero debate. They immediately said yes.”

Maynard added that the Rotary’s help extends beyond just the financial. He noted that members have also provided volunteer hours.

“They have been coming every week for breakfast, and that helps us out because we have net revenue from that. They have also been coming here for lunch the other three weeks as well, and that helps us in offsetting a significant cost over the course of the year by coming here for lunch. They are helping us that way too.”

Maynard, who is also a Rotary member, said the socialization is, in many respects, just as important as the meals they serve.

“It is so important for seniors to have that socialization. It is just as important in some respects as the meal for these seniors. Many of our seniors are alone and want to be able to eat with someone else. That socialization is so important. I can tell you that when we had to shut down for COVID and couldn’t offer the lunch, many seniors called us were crying on the phone to let them come back and be in the building. It’s such a big part of what we offer here,” said Maynard. “The benefit from Rotary in assisting with that is an incredible gift; they are so supportive for so many causes in town,”

Christi Burton, Director of Guilford Interfaith Volunteers, which administers the Meals on wheels program, said the funding was generous and could not have arrived at a better time.

“The Rotary and the Guilford Interfaith Volunteers relationship goes back for years,” said Burton. “We are so appreciative of their support of us. It came at a really opportune time for us. Our costs have gone up, and this helps us offset the increased costs of inflation.”

Rotary President Dawn Jackson said the organization jumped right in when they were alerted to the potential crisis.

“When I learned about the food and supply costs nearly doubling for the community center to provide meals to our seniors, I immediately asked Rick Maynard to submit a funding request to the Rotary Club of Guilford,” Jackson said. “We are so lucky to have Rick and his team. They provide programs and services for tens of thousands of people a year, everything from toddler programs to senior movie nights to Larry preparing healthy breakfast and lunch for seniors and Meals on Wheels each week.

According to Jackson, assisting with food programs at the Community Center is integral to the Rotary’s mission of Service Above Self.

“Our Club now has our weekly lunch meetings at the Community Center on Wednesdays. Not only does the Center have a wonderful space for us to use, but we purchase lunches each week for a higher fee, which we hope at the end of a calendar year will provide an additional $3,000 or more toward helping to fund these increased costs,” Jackson said.