By Hub City Times staff

MARSHFIELD – At a time when many services and events are being cancelled or postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, one organization is persevering through it all and the need may be greater than ever.

The Home Delivered Meals program at the Marshfield Medical Center is still currently running, according to Program Manager Kris Hughes. “We deliver the meals 365 days a year.”

Hughes notes a few changes with the delivery of the meals. For instance, the medical center is currently not using their normal insulated trays that are returned each day, to be washed and reused.

“We’re sending it in a disposable form. So, they come in a clam-shelled-type Styrofoam container. Our drivers are met at the back door,” she said. “We have seven routes that go out each day. Each volunteer is taking the meal to the door. Our meal delivery is still going on. We’re taking safety precautions. Our drivers do have rubber gloves, and they can have a mask if they want.”

Hughes says the program is always looking for more help to distribute the meals.

“We could definitely use more volunteers,” she added. “As far as volunteer hours, they will get credit for two hours for every trip that they make out of the hospital. The hours are good for kids that need credit for National Honor Society or confirmation. We can take care of that, as far as getting any paperwork done or signing any forms that need to be signed.”

But Hughes says the benefits go far beyond that. “It’s a real warm, fuzzy thing to do. You may be the only person they see in a day. To be checked on and to be listened to means the world to them.”

The meals are delivered 11a.m. – noon. Hughes says her volunteers are delivering anywhere between 120-135 meals per day Monday – Friday, and roughly half that amount on the weekends.

Hughes says there is currently a waiting list for weekend meals, simply because there are not enough drivers to fill the need. A background check is necessary through the medical center’s Volunteer Services department. Apply at https://www.marshfieldclinic.org/giving/volunteer.

If you’re interested, contact Kris Hughes at 715-387-9585.

The Home Delivered Meals program has a history that dates back to 1973. The United Way and former Saint Joseph’s Hospital put the modern-day program together in 1986.