Meals on Wheels needs volunteers in rural areas where seniors risk hunger in dangerous heat

Meals on Wheels combats hunger and isolation, but volunteers who deliver meals also ensure the safety of senior citizens and disabled clients from the dangerous summer heat.

Anna resident Teddy Barner can always count on Meals on Wheels Collin County, even on scorchers like Monday, when temperatures hit 107 degrees.

Barner, 80, a retired Fort Worth teacher, once thought Meals on Wheels helped those in need during the holidays. It wasn’t until Barner had a medical procedure that a friend who volunteers for the nonprofit suggested she reach out to Meals on Wheels.

She has been very impressed to learn about all the good the organization does in the community and is eternally grateful.

“They have been a blessing to me, not only the meals, which are very good, very healthy but also the volunteers that bring the meals,” she said. “To anyone who lives by themselves, it’s nice to have somebody not check on you, but if there’s an issue, you know that they’re there.”

Volunteers with the nonprofit deliver meals for elderly and disabled clients Monday through Friday.

They are often the only visitors these vulnerable residents receive for the day and are sometimes the first people to encounter seniors suffering from heat-related illnesses.

“You know when someone’s sweaty, dehydrated, tired. If I see someone like that I take the initiative to be like, 'Are you OK? Is everything working inside?'” said volunteer Douglas Garcia.

Meals on Wheels of Collin County, based in McKinney, desperately needs more volunteers like Garcia — 50 volunteers, to be exact.

“We rely on our volunteers heavily to make sure they do well checks, making sure the seniors are OK,” said Cortina Jones, Meals on Wheels of Collin County’s volunteer services coordinator.

The nonprofit’s 1000 Hearts, 1000 Hands Campaign needs 50 volunteers, specifically in rural areas where fewer resources can leave vulnerable seniors at higher risk.

Communities like Anna, Melissa, Wylie, Princeton, and Farmersville, said Jones.

“If we don’t have our volunteers, then this mission is not possible for us to deliver to our seniors,” said Jones.

Local companies have also stepped up to help seniors beat the heat.

According to Shanon Revels, marketing and communications manager for Meals on Wheels Collin County:  Granite Properties generously donated fans for our seniors, providing immediate relief from the heat. Toyota Motor North America donated $10,000 towards our heat exhaustion kits (handheld fans), which are being distributed to help seniors stay safe and cool during this intense weather. A team from Tomes Auto Group delivered A/C units to us, ensuring our seniors have access to cool environments.

All that’s needed now is you.

“Our seniors need you and we can’t do this without volunteers,” said Jones.

For more information about how to volunteer, click here.

HEAT SAFETY TIPS

With heat like this, you'll want to take precautions and be prepared.

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors to ensure they stay cool.

Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles. According to the National Safety Council, if it's 95 degrees outside a car's internal temperature could climb to 129 degrees in 30 minutes. After just 10 minutes, temperatures inside could reach 114 degrees.

A child's body temperature heats up three to five times faster than an adult's, and heatstroke can begin when a person's core body temperature reaches 104 degrees. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, a core temperature of 107 degrees is lethal.

Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments to reduce risk during outdoor work. Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heatstroke is an emergency! Call 911. The CDC has more information on heat-related illnesses.

Take care of your pets by providing fresh, cool water and shade. Also, pets should not be left outside and unattended for too long. It's too hot and they need to be brought inside.