March 25, 2020 3:35 a.m.
There are changes to Meals on Wheels Roseburg due to the COVID-19 situation.
A release said the organization has suspended meal service at its dining center, but is able to send meals to go, between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
To limit contact between volunteers and homebound participants, meal delivery is now limited to 3 days a week rather than 5. A “no contact” meal delivery system has been instituted, and volunteers are instructed to keep a distance of at least 6 feet from those who are receiving meals.
Though deliveries are now only 3 days a week, participants will still receive meals for a 5-day period. 2 meals are delivered on Monday, 2 on Wednesday and 1 on Friday.
Executive Director Inger Boyd-Miller said the population served by Meals on Wheels is overwhelmingly elderly and/or frail. Many of those receiving meals are especially at high-risk due to chronic illness or disability. She said while they want to reduce contact as much as possible, the organization is committed to providing the people they serve with the nutritious meals they need. She said “participants are at the heart of this program, and we will do all we can to continue providing the service upon which they rely, while striving to make sure that they, and our many volunteers, remain safe”.
The release said due to the drastic change in the delivery model, Meals on Wheels Roseburg is incurring unprecedented costs. Nearly 200 residents are served each day. Donations can be made to https://friendlykitchen.org/.  They can also be mailed to 1771 West Harvard in Roseburg, 97471.