Ensuring Proper Nutrition for Older Adults
By Jim Evans

Meals on the Go drivers left to right, Debbie Henson, Al Zendejas and Bryan Easley. Photo by Jim Evans

Meals on the Go may be one of the best-kept secrets in Ramona - except to the hundreds of seniors who depend on the program.

Most residents, of course, have seen the white vans provided by the county's Aging & Independence Services driving around town, but few have any idea of what they represent.

Sponsored by the Ramona Senior Center, Meals on the Go delivers more than 2,766 home-cooked meals every month to older - and often homebound - adults living in Ramona and communities as distant as Valley Center, Mesa Grande, Ranchita, San Felipe and others.

The food is prepared daily in the Ramona Senior Center kitchen and delivered weekdays in insulated vans by senior center personnel (frozen meals are delivered for the weekends).

The program is administered by Ramona Senior Center Director Ray Cardona and bookkeeper/office manager Jackie Creighton. Drivers Al Zendejas, Bryan Easley, and Debbie Henson have been delivering meals for the past three years, and the common thread among them is that they each have a genuine concern and affection for seniors.

"I really care about the people on my route," says Easley. "I usually drive about 150 miles a day, and when you see the same people every day you become very close to them."

Henson and Zendejas explain that the people they visit are more than just friends, they are like family."

The hardest part of their job? "The reality is that we lose someone once in a while," says Henson. "It really hurts because we have grown so close to them."

"It's difficult, too," adds Zendejas, "when we visit with so many people who are alone because their family and kids don't visit them enough. We're happy to be able to offer a friendly smile and chat with them for a few minutes each day. It makes us feel good, too."

Evelyn McPherson, 89, of Hide-away Lake in Valley Center says, "The young man who delivers the meals is such a gentleman, and food is always so satisfying." Her favorite meal, "all of it," she says without hesitation.

"Their upbeat attitude really boosts your morale," adds Darlene Beresford of Santa Ysabel. Beresford and her husband, Don, 74, have been enrolled in the program for the three years.

"They really knock themselves out to deliver great meals, and we have gained so much from our relationships with the drivers. Don and Debbie enjoy teasing each other, and we always look forward to her visits."

Charles and Evelyn Jones of Ramona enrolled in the program several months ago when their social security benefits were reduced. "It's fantastic," says Charles, 64. "I am constantly amazed at the quality and variety of food. Evelyn is a big fan of their liver and onions, and I love the beef teriyaki."

What does he like about it most? "Not going hungry," Jones says with a laugh.

Eligibility for Meals on the Go is relatively simple according to center director, Cardona. Participants must be at least 60 years old and be either homebound due to illness or live in a rural area.

The center asks for a donation of $3.50 per meal, however that amount is based on recipients' ability to pay.

"Most of the participants try to pay something when and if they can, and many will even contribute to our gas because they really want to support the program in any way they can," Cardona says.

The State of California currently subsidizes 60 percent of the Meals on the Go program, but the remainder is funded by donations.

According to Cardona, the program's expenses include $12,000 for food, $1,000 for milk and $2,000 a month for gas.

"It is expensive to maintain the program, but it is worth every penny," he says.

Gas prices earlier in the year resulted in a modest cutback of delivery services last summer, and drivers delivered more frozen meals to make sure that program participants did not experience any hardship.

Local residents and businesses have contributed time, money and services to the Senior Center and Meals on the Go through the years, but there is a continuing need for more help.

"Most people don't realize that we are just one of three senior centers in all of San Diego County that must pay rent for its facilities," explains Cardona. "This adds a considerable expense to our overhead that other similar programs do not have to budget for, so we are grateful for any help that we receive from the local community."

Those who meet the eligibility requirements and would like to participate in Meals on the Go should call the Ramona Senior Center at 760-789-0440. Others are encouraged to support the program by sending donations to the Ramona Senior Center, 434 Aqua Lane, Ramona, CA 92065.