While Halloween is typically associated with children stocking up on their favorite candy while wearing a fun costume, Meals On Wheels (MOW) made sure this holiday was fun for children of all ages! For the first time, in what the non-profit organization hopes to make a yearly tradition, MOW staff and volunteers assembled and delivered trick or treat bags to 503 homebound residents. “No matter how old you are, you always remember how happy Halloween made you feel and how much fun you had as a child,” says Marjorie Broughton, MOW executive director. “For our homebound clients who can’t participate in the festivities like they used to, we wanted our gift to make them feel like a kid again, have some fun and bring a smile to their face.”
To make Halloween even more special, residents at Inspired Living Sarasota hand decorated each bag with a custom design. Inspired Living offers assisted living services specifically designed for those with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other memory impairments
Delivered the weekend before Halloween, each bag included an activity book, a personal gift (hand cream, pen, coin purse), candy and nutrition bar. Items were donated by the community, volunteers and Board members.
“While our staff and volunteers prepare 500 meals a day, six days a week, 365 days a year, everyone involved in assembling the trick or treat bags over the four day period knew this project was extra special. It was very rewarding to make our clients feel extra special on this fun holiday. We can’t wait to do it again next year!”
About Meals On Wheels
Feeding Sarasota’s hungry, disabled and homebound since 1971, Meals On Wheels is a local, community based nonprofit that delivers 160,000 nutritious meals per year to persons in need who are unable to provide or prepare a meal for themselves in their home. MOW’s services are geared towards those with the greatest physical, social and economic need who want to remain independent in their own homes but cannot shop or prepare meals for themselves because of a physically challenged health condition. For more information on Meals On Wheels, its mission and volunteering, please visit our menu bar.
