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Like many businesses in these trying times, the Perryville Senior Center was forced to close its doors as the threat of COVID-19 spread throughout the country.
On March 17, the Senior Center closed its dining hall after service that day, and transitioned to a meal delivery service only.
While it was a dark day when the center had to close its doors on its dining hall and its patrons that use that service daily for a hot meal, the meal delivery has blown away the expectations for director Susan Foster.
“I expected an increase during that first week and it seemed like everyone called needing the meals,” Foster said. “It has settled down now, but this is going to go on for awhile and I just want people to know that we are here and available.”
The Senior Center has seen nearly 130 new clients since the dining room closed its doors. It services more than 230 clients with its delivery program.. Foster noted that offering the service was the least she could do during the pandemic.
“This is more than necessary,” Foster said. “These people have become my family and most of them probably shouldn’t be going to the grocery store and they need this hot meal every day.”
The meal is prepared by nutritionists at the Area Agency on Aging in Cape Girardeau, and consists of an entrée, two vegetables, two grains and a fruit. All of the meals are the same, except on Fridays when fish is available. Frozen meals are also offered for the weekend.
To be eligible for meal delivery, a person must be 55 years or older and call ahead at 547-2188 to be counted on the list. The meals are delivered each morning and to keep her delivery workers safe, Foster asks all those receiving meals to help out.
“We ask that our customers sanitize their doorknobs every morning, and put a chair or table just inside the door, so that we can knock on thee door, sit the meal down, have a quick conversation with them and make sure they are ok and go on our way to the next house,” Foster said.
That routine is not what Foster and her employees are used to at all.
“We aren’t doing the hugs and kisses like we are before,” Foster said. “But I do want to make sure that we are checking on them every day.”
The Senior Center is working with a number of volunteers, who Foster says are helping during this difficult time after six employees have left their position due to concerns about COVID-19. SMTS is doing delivery on one route with no charge.
“Volunteers are stepping up to fill the void and they are doing an amazing job,” Foster said. “Today we are good with volunteers, but that need could change tomorrow.
Foster said that she doesn’t have plans on stopping with the deliveries any time soon.
“We plan on doing this through April,” Foster said. “then we will see where we are.”
