Press Release
Melanie Ferreira
Council on Aging
July 3, 2016 1:00 p.m.
In 2013, Linda Wade, a case manager for Nassau County Council on Aging (NCCOA), saw her life changed drastically when she suffered a massive heart attack at work. Open heart surgery saved her life, but the Type 2 diabetes that led to her heart attack, also damaged her legs, requiring additional surgery to save her feet. As a result of her health issues, Linda could no longer work. In addition, her husband, John, had been hit by a car leaving him seriously disabled and had suffered a heart attack as well.
Linda and John, both in their 60s, live on Social Security and, with the expensive medications they must take, barely make ends meet. Like many couples living on a fixed income most of their money goes to pay bills. They no longer own a car and their poor health often keeps them home-bound. They found it more and more difficult to buy groceries. The once hardworking couple desperately needed help supplementing their meals.
Then, Soup Train entered Linda and John Wade’s lives, providing delicious, nutritionally balanced meals when a little extra food was needed most. Soup Train is a dedicated group of 46 volunteers providing supplemental meals to people over age 60 who, because of reduced income, poor health or lack of transportation, don’t eat properly or well.
“We serve those who would be eligible for NCCOA’s Meals on Wheels, but aren’t covered because of a lack of funding for that program,” said Soup Train Program Coordinator Mary Clemens. “Right now, we’re providing meals to 40 seniors.”
Soup Train volunteers work between 117 to 135 hours a month preparing homemade meals, soups, casseroles, breads and desserts in the kitchen at the former Yulee Middle School. Each volunteer team meets on a designated day once a month.
Organizations like the Amelia Island Boules and Newcomers Clubs as well as churches, golfing groups and others spend two to two and a half hours preparing nutritionally balanced meals or baked goods. The food is packaged, frozen and delivered to NCCOA for distribution by volunteers. A donation of only $83 will provide a year’s worth of Soup Train meals to a homebound senior.
“While we always welcome donations to help provide meals, what we really need are more volunteers,” said Soup Train’s Mary Clemens. “More volunteers means we can provide meals to more seniors in need.”
To learn more about Soup Train, or to volunteer, contact Mary Clemens at 904.206.4466 or by email at [email protected]