Soup’s on at Meals on Wheels in Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake

The soup Nazi on the TV show Seinfeld was quick to declare, “No soup for you!” for the slightest perceived misstep from customers, but you’ll get people on the Meals on Wheels program, which covers Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake , not hear who utter this sentence.

In fact, their goal is to get soup into the hands of as many people as possible, ensuring that aging seniors and vulnerable people living at home have nutritious, wholesome food on the table every day.

The nonprofit, volunteer-run agency, which delivers hot, fresh meals to the doorsteps of people who can’t cook for themselves, including seniors, people with disabilities and those recently discharged from hospital, has launched a new fundraiser to raise funds as well to reach as many people in need as possible.

Dubbed Soup on Wheels, the event will leverage the expertise of Niagara Falls Convention Center chefs James Price and David Berggren, who will create meal packages that include complete soup sets, bread and dessert priced at $25.

Chris Watling, who volunteers with her husband Harry to deliver meals to customers, said 100 percent of the proceeds will go to Meals on Wheels because sponsors have agreed to pay for the ingredients for the meals.

The funding is important because while the 53-year-old agency is funded by the province, that funding has not increased in 12 years and demand for the Meals on Wheels service has actually increased during the pandemic, Watling said.

“With the growing number of seniors in the area, people coming out of the hospital who need help getting back on their feet, and people unable to cook due to disabilities, we hope to expand our program little can continue. ” She said.

The agency has a small army of about 200 volunteers who deliver about 36,000 inexpensive meals to more than 800 customers annually.

Meals are a lifeline for many people, including seniors living below the poverty line, Watling said. The agency said the program helps prevent or delay hospitalization or home stays due to poor diet.

But Watling said the deliveries are also important welfare checks for vulnerable people, who often live alone, because volunteers watch closely for signs of trouble.

“It’s not just for nutrition,” she said. “It’s a pair of eyes on this senior: we make sure we see him and if we don’t we let his family know.”

The volunteers also often become important to clients’ socialization needs, Watling said.

“It doesn’t just feed their stomachs; it also nourishes their souls,” she said.

Tickets for the Soup on Wheels initiative are available by calling Watling at 905-358-9390. Meal box pickups will be on November 3rd from 3:30pm to 6:30pm at St. Andrews United Church at 5645 Morrison St. in Niagara Falls.

People can also donate to Meals on Wheels regularly at Mealsonwheelsniagara.ca/donate.

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