With the crush of the holidays now firmly in the rear-view mirror, we turn our attention to the rest of winter – a dismal prospect, unless you’re a fan of the white stuff that’s currently coating the ground. Even with the days getting longer and sun slowly getting brighter, it’s still sometimes hard to muster the strength to go out, even in good health and spirits. When sick or stuck at home, it takes Herculean effort to get out in the winter weather. And that goes double for some of the least mobile members of our population – the elderly or those suffering from illness. In the best of times, older residents could have difficulty leaving the house, getting nutritious food or taking care of themselves. When the weather turns bad, it can be nearly impossible.
That’s why the work of Meals on Wheels of Greater Poughkeepsie and other community service organizations is vital, and also why this time of year is critical to their mission. As the need for food and health service continues to rise, the pool of volunteers for these tasks diminishes, fueled by bad weather, illness and the general winter malaise that sometimes consumes us as the gray months continue. Ironically, during the time when the service provided by organizations like Meals on Wheels is most needed, there are often fewer helpers to go around.
And this winter, the increase in gas prices is also affecting Meals on Wheels – both in limiting drivers and increasing the cost of supplies and food. It’s a double-edged sword that has Meals on Wheels and others reaching out for donations and volunteers, and while it may not be easy to commit personal time delivering or preparing meals, those needs are especially vital during the winter months.
But other service organizations throughout the area have needs as well. Food pantries and soup kitchens are often at their busiest during the winter, when times are especially hard for the under-privileged. Volunteer opportunities can take on many forms – serving food and driving aren’t the only possibilities. Maybe you can volunteer some time sorting books or helping patrons at a local library, or sit and visit with older residents and others who are confined to the house and often alone. Though some lament a general loss of community spirit as new residents move into the area, that simply means there’s a larger pool of potential volunteers out there. Recruiting and encouraging people to get involved in their community is almost as important as the volunteering itself, which is why we ask people to get involved. Even as the winter begins to wane and the weather warms again, the need will still be there. Getting involved, donating some time and making a difference is what keeps the fabric of a community intact.