Wichita’s Meals on Wheels program is back in its own kitchen after four months of renovations due to a fire.
An Open House at the Downtown Senior Center is planned for Wednesday afternoon. KMUW’S Deborah Shaar reports.
An electrical fire in the kitchen at the Downtown Senior Center on South Walnut last November shut down the building for four months.
The Meals on Wheels program moved to a temporary kitchen during this time and all senior programs and activities stopped or moved to other centers.
Senior Services Development Director Chris Heiman says they were able to continue the delivery routes and do safety checks on homebound seniors during the relocation period.
“Well over 50% of our meals clients are isolated and won’t see anyone for days on end," Heiman says. "Our Meals on Wheels volunteer who delivers that meal each day might be the only person they see that day.”
Heiman says the program lost some volunteers, so they are now appealing to the community for help in getting new volunteers on board.
All of the Senior Services’ programs and activities have returned to their permanent locations in the Walnut Street senior center.
The Downtown Senior Center’s Open House is scheduled for Wednesday, April 29, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 200 S. Walnut Street in Wichita.
This reception is open to the public, but RSVPs are preferred; please call 267-0197.
If you or someone you know would like to become a Meals on Wheels volunteer, please call (316) 267-0122.
