Inside Our Centers This spring Mullis faced an extraordinary challenge in the form of stay-at-home orders that closed the county’s senior centers. She says, “When Covid-19 struck and we knew we would have to close the centers, we had to make some quick decisions on how to serve the seniors who depend on us for a nutritious lunch. “It took us a few days to get things right.” Each center saw large increases in the number of people wanting to pick up daily meals. For instance, Calabash usually served 80 to 100 people, but for meal pickup, they had to increase to 115 to 135. Curbside service increased to between 90 to 100 in each of the centers, even smaller ones like Shallotte that had previously served 50, and Supply, which had averaged around 38. Fast thinking led to a solution within a week. Now meals are cooked ahead. On Mondays, each senior can pick up one hot meal and four frozen ones for the rest of the week. In the preparation area, the team wears masks and gloves and tries to socially distance as much as possible. Pickups are non-contact.
Meals for homebound seniors—averaging about 1,100
across the county—continued to be delivered twice a week by a dedicated team of volunteers. “These volunteers don’t report to me, but I’d like to say, all of them have been truly amazing. For home deliveries we work with the Meals on Wheels program. The meals are prepared in our kitchens and volunteers deliver them. Before Covid-19 they used to take the meals in, and often sit with the people just to talk a bit. A lot of that has been restricted. Drivers have to leave the meals where people can get them, but for the protection of the client, they can’t stay and talk,” Mullis says. “In addition to the hot meals, we give out food packets that include frozen items and shelf stable items such as peanut butter and crackers—items selected for good nutrition that can last at least a week.”
Plans for after the centers open again are not yet formal. “We are set to simply be ready to serve however the centers are able, according to the rules that will keep staff, volunteers, and the seniors safest. “I learn so much from our senior citizens. It’s a joy to work for them,” Mullis says. “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again.”
A participant at the Brunswick Center at Supply stops by for curbside meal pickup. On Mondays, participants may pick up one hot meal and four frozen meals from their area senior center.
Photo by Jillian Hardin
