Winter Weather Canceled Local Meal Deliveries, Volunteers Needed

Although many businesses are suffering through this weather and the tough driving conditions, one local organization's closures affect over 400 Rockland residents.

Meals on Wheels Programs & Services of Rockland, Inc. has closed their services three days so far this winter due to the weather causing hundreds of homebound Rocklanders depending on this delivery program to forgo their meals for those days.

"We need much more people during this time because what happens is that (some of the groups that deliver for us) operate on the school calendar," said Carissa Coslit, Volunteer Coordinator & Community Liaison of Meals on Wheels. "If the schools are on a delay or get canceled, we have a ton of open routes that need volunteers."

Coslit added that older volunteers do not always feel comfortable going out in the ice and the snow because they may fall or slip. Because of the recent weather, Meals on Wheels closed completely this past Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 1-2 and last Thursday, Jan. 27.

"It's not a common thing that we close down the meal deliveries," said Coslit. "In the first couple years, we never closed the program. Last year, we closed twice and this year we've closed three times."

There are several reasons for closing because of the weather.

"We can't expect the kitchen staff to come in at 4:30 a.m. when there's an ice storm. Even if they can come in, we have to find 40-50 people to volunteer and deliver the meals. We have 44-50 routes a day and each route delivers 10-12 meals."

Meals on Wheels delivers Monday - Friday around 11 a.m. The homebound get weekend meals on Thursday and Friday, which go out frozen.

Those interested in volunteering to deliver meals can contact Carissa Coslit at:

• Meals on Wheels Programs & Services of Rockland Inc.
• 121 West Nyack Rd, Nanuet 10954
• 845-624-6325
• Fax: 845-624-6335
• ccoslit@mowrockland.org