Meals on Wheels fueled by community support

COLFAX — Council on Aging (COA) Director Paige Collins is thankful for the community volunteers who deliver Meals on Wheels.

Collins stated that there are several great volunteers, including Barry Folsom, owner of the local ACE hardware store in Colfax, and the Rotary Club.

Administrator and Coordinator for the Meals on Wheels program Margie Anderson stated that she has a bunch of fantastic volunteers.

“Barry has stepped up a lot,” Anderson said, noting that he’s taken on more than two weeks just by himself.

She also mentioned Kathy Russ, whose dad used to receive Meals on Wheels.

“She’s moved back here to Colfax and now delivers meals on wheels,” Anderson said.

She mentioned that Judge Gary Libey and his wife have contributed to delivering meals to older people in the community, and the Colfax Rotary Club has stepped up.

“They deliver all of November, half of December, and this year they took the whole month of May,” she said of the Rotary members.

Rotary Club Member, Vice President, and Ag Lending Officer at the Colfax Branch of State Bank Northwest Mike Roberts stated that the Rotary Club has been filling in and helping with the program for at least twenty years.

“We are doing that to help the community out,” Roberts said, adding that the club typically has two members sign up to help with Meals on Wheels, and sometimes spouses help.

“It’s a great service for the elderly population in Colfax,” he added, noting that those who get the meals are unable to drive, so they also check on the welfare of the residents to make sure everything looks okay and that they’re in good health.

Roberts stated that a lot of credit should go to Whitman Hospital and Medical Clinic for having the meals ready for them to pick up.

“It’s just a great service,” he said.

“We have the hospital deliver in half a month in December, and then half a month in January and February,” Anderson said, and that after that, they rely on volunteers to deliver the meals.

“We have the Catholic Church and the Latter Day Saints Church,” she said, adding that they’re great.

Roberts stated that Rotary is always looking for new members and take on many services like Meals on Wheels. For those interested in joining, they do service work, including that.

He added that Meals on Wheels is an excellent service to the community, and he hopes it continues progressing.

“It does take community involvement,” he said, noting that anyone interested should contact Margie at the COA office.