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CARES Act funding had allowed Nourish Meals on Wheels to provide once a week grocery delivery

Posted at 4:59 PM, Dec 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-21 20:24:20-05

LITTLETON, Colo. — Inside Nourish Meals on Wheels in Littleton, volunteers are busy preparing meals everyday.

The meal of the day is packed into trays that make their way down an assembly line until being sealed, stamped and rushed out the door.

"We really do try to take care of the needs of each of our clients," said executive director of Nourish Meals on Wheels, Diane McClymonds.

McClymonds said Nourish Meals on Wheels saw a 9% increase in demand back in March.

Already delivering meals to people in need, CARES Act funding allowed them to add another service, grocery delivery. But now the once a week grocery delivery is ending as CARES Act funding dries up at the end of the year.

"This is the most basic way you can give," said volunteer driver Margy McKenna.

McKenna said she’s grown to know the people she delivers food to over the years.

"This COVID has caused so many problems, but it also, the regulars that we’ve been serving for several years, for them the isolation is really disturbing," McKenna said.

For Shirley Carpenter, every meal they provide signifies a lifeline.

"I found that I was just eating the same thing all the time, which is pretty dumb and I just don’t know how I would survive if I didn’t have it," Carpenter said.

McClymonds says the goal is to continue grocery delivery into the new year, which means taking advantage of grants, food bank programs and help from the community.

"Even though there is a light at the end of the tunnel, it’s still going to be a different year," McClymonds said.