Our Meals (and more) on Wheels

Can't let the week close without talking about my Monday with Meals on Wheels.

This month is March for Meals, which commemorates the program’s 51 years of delivering meals to seniors. This year’s focus calls attention to hunger with the elderly and making sure folks are aware of the Meals on Wheels program.

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Is there anyone who isn't familiar with Meals on Wheels? It's an instantly recognizable name, right? 

Yet, shut-ins from our own community go hungry because they don't know to ask for help or feel like a burden if they do.

Meals on Wheels clients are extremely grateful, not only for the food but the companionship. Some folks are quite lonely.

This is Community Champions Week of March for Meals month. The county asked me to participate and of course, I said yes.

Monday morning I headed to the East Citrus Community Center where I met up with Meals drivers.

I was matched with Don Clyde, who moved to Gospel Island from Tampa with his wife about a year or so ago.

Don volunteered for Meals on Wheels in Tampa and wanted to continue in Inverness.

We loaded up his car with individually packed meals, some hot lunches for that day and others a box of breakfast meals for the week.

Don has his route for the day planned out for him. Everyone we visited was happy to see Don, though a little suspicious of the new guy helping out.

Don is a casual, comfortable friend to these folks. They talk of family and travel and grandkids. All are thankful for the visit.

He is extremely protective of their privacy. Twice he asked me to stay in the car, concerned how some may react to a strange person in the house.

We finished up a few hours later and I continued my day.

Sometimes I need reminders of the needs of some neighbors and the volunteer spirit of others. Both combine to make our community what it is.

Meals on Wheels is always looking for volunteers. If interested, give them a call at 352-527-5975.

— Also can't let the week end without a shout-out to Josh Wooten, Ardath Prendergast and everyone at the Citrus County Chamber of Commerce for this year's Legislative Days in Tallahassee. 

Another great day Thursday as members of the Leadership Citrus class rode the early morning bus to meet with those already there.

About 100 attended a dinner Wednesday night at the private Governor’s Club, and the only reason we’re allowed in is on lobbyist Gene McGee’s membership. Kind of like inviting the extended family to play at the exclusive golf course in your gated neighborhood.

Thursday, we all gathered as a parade of speakers talked about issues of importance, such as rising property insurance rates. 

They all said the same thing: Citrus County is heard in the state government. These Legislative Days prove Citrus speaks with a united voice and that’s how good things get done.

This community is very impressive when it tries.

— Speaking of community, did you realize Floral City is 140 years old? The community — which once boasted a population higher than Miami’s — has its annual Floral City Heritage Days this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This website has all the info. We have so much new in this county that I’m learning to appreciate even more the heritage of our communities, such as Floral City.

Citrus is a great place to appreciate and that’s what I plan on doing this weekend.

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