Local programs deal with weather
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on February 17, 2015 1:46 PM
Meals on Wheels deliveries were interrupted today because of the inclement weather, with officials hopeful the service will resume on Wednesday.
Offices at WAGES, or Wayne Action Group for Economic Solvency, which houses Meals on Wheels, were closed today.
Brownie Doss, Meals on Wheels director, said in anticipation of the storm prediction, some provisions were made.
"(Monday) when we sent out the meals, we had some emergency meals in there," she said.
The amount, however, was not enough for all the recipients of the service, she said.
"We tried to send some to the ones we knew would need it," she said, adding, "We hope we're going to be able to deliver tomorrow. We'll just have to wait and see what happens today."
Ms. Doss also made an appeal for anyone willing to step in and deliver meals.
"It's supposed to be icy tomorrow," she said. "One problem (we have) is the majority of our volunteers are older themselves. We don't want to risk them breaking a hip or falling.
"If we had more younger people, that would be great. We may be able to do it quicker."
Available volunteers are asked to call the direct number for Meals on Wheels, 919-580-1790.
"I'll be checking (messages)," Ms. Doss said.
In addition to the fluctuating weather conditions, another part of the problem is how it will affect regular staff in the program.
"It may be that cooks and everyone can't get in there," she said.
"Tomorrow morning, or this afternoon, if I see we're going to be closed I will leave (an outgoing) message on that number."
The local Salvation Army had a couple of new people go to its men's shelter last night due to the cold weather and icy conditions, desk clerk Rox Ann Young said.
"Normally, they are out of the shelter from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day," she said.