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It’s 8 a.m. and volunteers are arriving in the mini mall at Donaldson’s Crossroads to help with the preparation of over 150 meals to be delivered later that morning to local residents.

Volunteer dishwashers

The kitchen staff has been at work cooking for two hours already, and tables are being set up for the preparation of salads, sandwiches, and desserts. The entrée for today is spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread. Also included with the meal is a cup of wedding soup, salad, dessert, and milk, and a homemade cookie.

This is a typical day at the Peters Township Meals on Wheels, where volunteers help to pack up the freshly made food for twelve sets of drivers who donate their time and vehicles to deliver the meals to residents in the area. The independent nonprofit program delivers nutritious, freshly made meals to anyone who has difficulty shopping for food or cooking meals. The program primarily serves senior citizens, but also can assist others in special circumstances, such as those with a disability or illness or recovering after an operation.

Founded in 1974, the program is entirely supported by modest client fees supplemented by generous corporate and individual donations. No government funds are involved.

Currently the sign near the door says “Meals on Wheels of Peters Township,” but they serve meals to many different communities in the area, including Canonsburg, Muse, Houston, Lawrence, Finleyville, Bridgeville, and parts of Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair and Eighty Four. For this reason, a new sign will soon be taking its place, as the organization has changed its name to Meals on Wheels @ the Crossroads.

During the week of Easter, Scouts from St. Louise de Marilac helped to color eggs

They are also facing another kind of crossroads, as their largest and long-term benefactor is moving on to support other valuable programs, leaving Meals on Wheels with the prospect of a sizable budget shortfall starting in 2019. “There is now an urgent need for new funders to keep the program growing and thriving,” says Director Susan Hanawalt. “We have a splendid base of generous supporters from previous years, but we hope to welcome new corporate funders as well as individuals who can provide extra support in the near future.”

In addition, they welcome new clients. “We are always glad to accept new clients throughout our service area and can get them signed up over the phone in less than five minutes and have their first meal scheduled for delivery the next day,” says Chris Hafenbrack, who handles the client issues.

Over 40,000 meals have been served in each of the last few years. To order meal service or for more information, call 724-969-1000. To view the current menu and learn more, please visit their website at: www.ptmow.org. Their Facebook page – www.facebook.com/MOWPT/ – also includes photos of recent meals and some of the more than 200 volunteers who help out each month.

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