Meals on Wheels of Amarillo has announced its annual 2026 Geranium Sale, offering the community an opportunity to brighten their homes and gardens while helping seniors and homebound citizens get company and a meal.
Plant orders are being taken now through March 27, and they can be picked up May 9.
The local MOW organization serves more than 350 homebound elderly and disabled individuals each weekday. More than 450 volunteers deliver these meals, according to their website at www.amarillomealsonwheels.org.According to Susan Akers, executive director of MOW Amarillo, they also offer “animeals” for dogs and cats, to keep owners from having to give up their pets.
More volunteers needed to cover routes once a week
“We currently have 10 open routes that need drivers. Most volunteers only drive one route a week, and it generally takes less than an hour. We keep the routes in concentrated areas of town, so they aren’t driving all over town to deliver the meals. There is a maximum of 10 meals per route. Meals are picked up at the BSA hospital sometime between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.,” Akers said. The routes are normally around 10 homes, and volunteers can utilize an app to guide them to their location if they’re unfamiliar with a route area, Akers said.
“Most volunteers say that delivering for Meals on Wheels is the highlight of their week,” she added.
Akers said, tor most of their clients, the MOW volunteer is the only person they see all day, and this is the only meal they receive per day. Therefore, it is a vital service to provide them with proper nutrition to keep them healthy and make sure they are OK.
Daily safety checks critical for clients
“Often times, our volunteers find our clients in trouble — they don’t answer the door or phone, maybe they have fallen, have become very ill, and we find some passed away. The daily safety check is critical,” Akers said.
“Our clients are very lonely, and depression and isolation are extremely common, so even the quick visit with a volunteer makes their day,” she said. “For most of our clients, if Meals on Wheels didn’t bring them a meal, they wouldn’t have anything to eat.”
Different planter sizes and flower options available
Community members may place geranium orders by calling the Meals on Wheels office at (806) 374-152 or by visiting their website, amarillomealsonwheels.org/geranium-sale/The deadline to order is March 27. Pickup will take place on Saturday, May 9, at the Amarillo office.
Proceeds from the Geranium Sale directly support local seniors in Amarillo by helping provide nutritious meals and wellness check-ins. Every purchase makes a difference in the lives of those served by the nonprofit. The program does not accept federal or state funding, so it is dependent on local volunteers and donations. A gift of $100 helps provide meals for one month to a homebound senior in Amarillo who can’t afford them.
For more information, or to volunteer, contact the Meals on Wheels office at (806) 374-1521.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: How buying a geranium can feed a senior citizen and pet
Reporting by Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
