Braving the cold, ice to bring meals to friends
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on February 20, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Martha Bryan jokes with Emmeul Lewis about his birthday while delivering a meal to his wife, Lois, on Thursday at the couple's home on James Street. Lewis turned 79.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Volunteer coordinator Andrea Bone helps Bill Hewitt check his food bag at WAGES Thursday morning before he leaves to deliver food to Meals on Wheels recipients in the Belfast area.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Geraldine Williams and Martha Bryan visit for a few minutes during Mrs. Bryan's Meals on Wheels route Thursday.
Martha Bryan hitched her leg up onto the porch and jumped up.
She avoided the icy ramp that led to the door.
Her hands clutched a precariously stacked disposable plate.
The retired teacher nimbly mounted the porch and knocked on the door for her Meals on Wheels delivery.
She wore three layers on top and Cuddle Duds under her pants. Once inside the house, she took off her ear muffs and gloves.
"It's a cold one," she said, laughing.
Thursday was the first day of deliveries following the two-day winter hiatus of Meals on Wheels due to the inclement weather. So Mrs. Bryan arrived early Thursday at WAGES to pick up her route.
"I know they're anxious for their food," she said.
Mrs. Bryan has been doing the L route for Meals on Wheels for almost 15 years every Thursday. Her brother, Tommy Gibson, does the same route on Wednesday.
They have grown close with the people on their route. He takes collards to them for Christmas. Mrs. Bryan and First Baptist Church made Valentine's Day goody bags. She knows their birthdays, their families and their stories.
She can drive her route from memory. When the train cuts through downtown, Mrs. Bryan does not stop. She quickly navigates under the trestle on Carolina Street so she doesn't lose any time.
But she does stop on a porch to pet a cat.
Meals on Wheels is an act of love for her.
"We've lost some ... it's always the same route, different people," she said.
She greets each person with a big smile. When she leaves, she makes sure that they are warm enough and don't need anything.
For Jackie Barnes and her mother, Ella Coley, Mrs. Bryan gave them a door pillow to keep the drafty winds from entering the house.
"I don't know how we would make it without the services of these volunteers," Ms. Barnes said. "We're so glad to see you today."
Brownie Doss, the director of Older Adult Services at WAGES, also was glad to have Meals on Wheels running again.
"We don't want to close," she said. "It's a hard call to make."
Emergency food boxes were sent to seniors on Monday.
At the beginning of the cold weather season, WAGES sent out letters advising the patrons of Meals on Wheels to keep canned foods in case of a cancellation. Using a Honeywell phone system, the recipients are notified by automatic phone message when the service is canceled. The system is similar to the school cancellation program.
Meals on Wheels was canceled for the safety of the volunteers.
On Thursday, the cooks arrived at 5:45 a.m. to begin meal preparations. The staff at WAGES keeps a hot pot of coffee on to warm up the drivers.
"I'm glad we're back today," Mrs. Doss said. "We worry about them."
There are 340 seniors served by the Meals on Wheels program. It takes 14 delivery routes and two pick-up locations to feed everyone.
The program received an influx of volunteers looking to help out on Thursday.
Volunteer coordinator Andrea Bone said the organization is always looking for substitutes and volunteers.
Many of the regular drivers are seniors, who Mrs. Doss says have a harder time in the cold weather.
Most of the volunteers were more than ready to get back to work after the two-day break.
Bill Hewitt delivers Meals on Wheels four to five times per week.
The 75-year-old bundled up in long johns, flannel and a bright yellow Steelers jacket.
He joked that he has Eskimo blood.
"I'm a volunteer person," he said. "It gives me a good feeling knowing I'm helping feed someone."
He has been making deliveries for two years, often stopping to talk with each food recipient.
"I form bonds with them," he said. "I worry about them."
Side roads, driveways and porches were still icy on Thursday at the 11 a.m. deliveries. So Mrs. Bryan, Hewitt and about 30 other volunteers layered up and braved the cold to deliver the plates.
"If I can't give an hour of my day, something is wrong," Mrs. Bryan said.