Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud Celebrate 50 Years

Meals on Wheels of Loveland and Berthoud (MOW-LB) has been serving meals in our community since 1968. In 2017 the program served just over 77,000 meals, in addition to the roughly 24,000 meals prepared for Loveland’s Community Kitchen. The program primarily serves community members who are age 60 and over and are homebound. However, it’s important to know that MOW-LB meal delivery can be done on a short-term basis, too, such as post-hospitalization.

Client donations are received as payment for the meals provided. Payments can vary depending on ability to pay – but no client is turned away. Additional program funding sources are grants and donations from our community. Freshly prepared meals are delivered Monday to Friday, and frozen meals are delivered to those needing meals on weekends. Approximately 300 volunteers work with the program; serving in the kitchen or office, delivering food and community outreach.

Executive Director Jeffrey Pomranka joined the program in March of 2017, following Elizabeth Harless who retired after 24 years. Jeffrey believes in helping people stay independent – and MOW-LB certainly works to achieve that goal.

Susan Atwater, MOW-LB Development Director, can be found at most Loveland Chamber of Commerce events. Her attendance heightens awareness of this great program for others in the community.

A key ingredient that’s delivered to clients along with nutritionally beneficial meals is that of a wellness check. MOW-LB volunteers are trained to observe any fluctuations in a client’s behavior or living environment. MOW-LB also has a staff Support Coordinator who helps to guide clients with referrals in a variety of areas, client assessments, and home visits as needed.

Spaghetti Lunch at MOW-LB

MOW-LB has planned monthly events in 2018 to celebrate their 50th anniversary. One of the events was held on May 8 – Pay What you May. The event was held at MOW-LB located at 437 N. Garfield Avenue in Loveland. This was an opportunity to tour the facility and see the commercial kitchen and experience just how tasty the food is. The spaghetti sauce was as good as any homemade sauce, and that’s because it’s made from scratch.

The signature event for the 50th anniversary is Meals on 4th, a farm-to-table style dinner held under the lights on 4th Street, between Cleveland and Railroad in downtown Loveland. The event will be held on Wednesday, June 13th from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Seating is limited, you will want to purchase your tickets early.

Meals on 4th

Tickets can be purchased here:  https://www.lovelandmealsonwheels.org/. The Loveland Business Development Center has pulled together a team to volunteer for this event. I would encourage others to either volunteer or attend this fantastic event. For more details about volunteering: Meals on 4th Volunteer Sign Up.

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