Meal Program Provides Food and Social Connections for Seniors

For over a year, Diane and Dennis Unrau have overseen the operation of the Senior Meal Program, run by The Salvation Army’s Renew Church in B.C.

Every week Diane and Dennis ensure meals are prepared accordingly and that all the clients receive five frozen meals. The purpose of the program is to provide healthy and nutritious meals to seniors who have difficulty providing for themselves.

Some of them are experiencing physical disabilities, others receive meals because they have a very low income or have some dietary problems.”

“The goal is to be able to help all our clients. Some of them are experiencing physical disabilities, others receive meals because they have a very low income or have some dietary problems,” Diane said.

The meals are sent out every Thursday. These are first prepared by a caterer, and then Diane and Dennis pick up the boxed meals and take them back to The Salvation Army for sorting. Some clients get their meals delivered, while others come to the church to pick them up. Usually, Dennis takes care of the deliveries, while Diane stays to deal with the pick-ups. They are currently serving 44 clients in Westbank, West Kelowna and Peachland.

Due to the different dietary restrictions among their clients, they are always making sure everyone gets a meal they can consume safely.

“Some of our clients are gluten-free, low sodium, diabetic or have additional allergies. But our caterer is always creative and can fulfill all of those needs each week,” Diane added.

Aside from providing food, the Senior Meal Program also aims to establish a relationship with the clients. Diane and Dennis enjoy taking the time to talk to the people they serve and check on their well-being.

“Many of our clients are what you would call ‘shut in’. They live by themselves and don’t get out much except for medical appointments,” Diane shared. “I give them a phone call and sometimes the calls will end up taking 45 minutes. Lonely people just need someone to chat with.”

For client Dotti Thiessen, social interaction is the aspect of the program she enjoys the most.

“I enjoy the sweet visits from Dennis and Diane,” Dotti said. “I can’t thank them enough for the meal program. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all at The Salvation Army.”

“We hadn’t realized the kind of needs that they were experiencing.”

Despite the effort they must put in each week, Diane and Dennis couldn’t feel better about being able to help provide food and friendship to seniors in the community.

“It is fulfilling to help people in this way it gives us joy to be able to do it. It’s also been a real eye-opener. We hadn’t realized the kind of needs that they were experiencing,” Diane said.

By Juan Romero