As the summer heat increases, so does the dedication shown by the Volunteers of Sun City Meals on Wheels.

The Sun City Meals on Wheels program has been at its new location with Sun Valley Lodge, 12415 N. 103rd Ave., for almost six months. The transition was relatively seamless, and overall the clients are enjoying the food.

The challenge for volunteers is that there is no place to escape the heat while waiting for the meals to come out for delivery. The teams line up outside in the heat and patiently wait until the food is delivered.

Meals on Wheels volunteers and staff have celebrated several 100 and older birthdays and mourned the loss of several clients and volunteers. But one thing remains the same, Sun City Meals on Wheels Volunteers are dedicated to the mission and to the client. The welfare of clients is important.

While delivering meals, a volunteer team recognized the client was in distress. They finished their deliveries and went back to the house, staying with the spouse, who suffers Alzheimer’s, so the family could take the client to the hospital. That team, Carol and Stan Deitemeyer, were awarded “Special Act of Kindness” certificates from Meals on Wheels.

Other volunteers go to the homes of clients and spend some precious time visiting with them, grocery shopping or bringing special treats. Others have even gone to help with chores that the client could not do. 

Sun City Meals on Wheels is more than a food delivery service. Volunteers also do a welfare checks when delivering and we stay in touch with the families who are often out of state and unaware if there is a problem.

Editor’s Note: Cheryl Duter is Sun City Meals on Wheels director.