It is the elderly couple who invites Jessica Jarrett-McKeirnan to have a cup of tea when she delivers BRMC Meals on Wheels to their remote home and thank her profusely that makes her job worthwhile and meaningful every single day.
Jarrett-McKeirnan, program coordinator for Meals on Wheels at the medical center, and Stacy Williams, hospital volunteer coordinator, said the program is now in its second year at the medical center and continues to welcome new recipients and drivers.
“We’re doing pretty well since we transitioned to the hospital,” Williams said of the program, which has a 48-year tradition in Bradford. The program had been conducted by the YWCA Bradford for six years and the American Red Cross prior to that.
“We know there are more people out there in need and we’d be happy to help them,” Williams said.
Jarrett-McKeirnan said the program has approximately 60 recipients and continues to be aided by a core group of dedicated, volunteer drivers, who have numbered between 10 and 12.
“We’re kind of expanding and going out of the area a little bit,” she commented. “We have one recipient in Smethport so far and a gentleman who lives up on Big Shanty (in Lafayette Township), who is new.”
Williams added, “We would like to build up our clientele” to areas that include Mount Jewett and Kane and eventually Limestone, New York.”
She said recipients pay a sliding-scale fee based on their income. The process to sign up for the program is simple and only asks applicants a few simple questions that are evaluated by Beth Pehonsky, patient financial liaison at the hospital. From there, Pehonsky determines what percentage the recipient pays for a meal. Some recipients have qualified for free meals, she added.
“Our free meals have incrementally increased so it shows there are people in need,” Williams shared. Jarrett-McKeirnan added, “Some of the people we deliver to, that’s it (and all they eat) for the day, it’s sad.”
Drivers, and in particular, substitute drivers, are needed for the program, they noted. Those interested also have to apply and are screened before they are accepted.
As for the food, Jarrett-McKeirnan said the hospital dietician provides a healthy heart menu for the meals and the hospital chef prepares the food which is packaged by volunteers and people employed through the PathStone program for older individuals. The meals follow a three-week rotating menu, which changes every four months. Last year alone, the program delivered 12,400 meals to recipients.
“We also do two meals a day, if they want,” Jarrett-McKeirnan added. “So they can get a hot and a cold meal.”
Williams said that in addition to the medical center’s sponsorship, the program is funded through grants as well as the Bradford Hospital Foundation, the Blaisdell Foundation, the United Way of Bradford and fees received from recipients.
Jarrett-McKeirnan said she meets all people interested in participating and has delivered meals to everyone enrolled.
“When they call, I’ll go to their house and meet them so they know who they’re talking to” during phone calls, she said of recipients.
“I get really emotional … because it changes how you look at things,” she said of the meal deliveries. “These people are so grateful — and lonely, too.”
Jarrett-McKeirnan said one elderly husband and wife who live in a remote, hillside area are “the nicest couple.
“Neither one of them can stand and cook for a long time,” she explained. “But they are so grateful and they offer me a cup of tea every time I’m there … they always say “Thank you for doing this, we don’t know what we’d do without this program.’ It’s so rewarding, I love it.”
Jarrett-McKeirnan said more information can be obtained on becoming a recipient of meals, or a volunteer, by contacting her at 362-8254.
