By Ashley M. Casey

Associate Editor

On a good day, distributing meals to 260 seniors in the northern suburbs can be a challenge. But during a pandemic, North Area Meals on Wheels is facing even more obstacles.

“This week has been challenging,” NAMOW Executive Director Jennifer Covert said.

Covert has had to balance the needs of the seniors who rely on NAMOW with the safety of the organization’s 300-plus volunteer workforce, many of whom are elderly themselves.

“We’ve lost half of our kitchen volunteers because they’re scared to come in,” Covert said. “I would say probably 75% [of our volunteers] are seniors.”

Last week, Covert attached letters to each meal delivery explaining NAMOW’s sanitation practices and reminding clients to practice social distancing.

“You can help us too by avoiding contact with our volunteers. Don’t try to hug or handshake wash your hands with soap and water before getting your meal,” she said.

Social distancing could be especially difficult for NAMOW’s clients. For many homebound seniors, their only social interaction might be with their Meals on Wheels driver.

“Everybody’s suffering,” Covert said.

Normally, volunteers congregate in the NAMOW dining room, sharing coffee and snacks while they wait for their meals. Covert has had to shut the doors to maintain social distancing. Most of the local leaders who signed up to volunteer during last week’s March for Meals Community Champions Week ended up canceling their appearances. NAMOW has implemented a no-contact drive-thru system for volunteers to pick up meals.

“I’ve just been trying to follow the lead of the county but also do what’s best for my people,” Covert said.

Despite the struggles, the NAMOW crew has kicked into high gear, preparing additional frozen meals and “blizzard bags” — nonperishable meals and snacks — to tide over clients through a possible shutdown. Covert said that last Monday, volunteers prepared 1,000 frozen meals on top of the day’s usual workload.

“When I came home, I was really sad and stressed about the situation but I thought, ‘Wow, what a great team we have here.’ They showed up. Every day they show up,” Covert said.

Since older people are at greater risk of serious illness, many of Covert’s volunteers are understandably concerned. The organization is looking for backup volunteers as well as monetary donations. Visit namow.org or call 315-452-1402 to learn more.

“We’re just going to keep doing everything we can to keep feeding people who probably wouldn’t eat if we didn’t come. People are messaging me, calling me, emailing me all day asking how they can help,” Covert said. “Another bright spot is the way the community is coming together to help each other.”