More than a meal: Marshfield program addresses more than just food insecurity

MARSHFIELD – Home Delivered Meals, a food delivery service operated out of the Marshfield hospital, continues to support residents who face financial hardship, limited mobility or difficulty preparing meals.

The program is often confused with Meals on Wheels, but is a separate service unique to the community.

According to Home Delivered Meals Program Director Kris Armbruster, the program traces its origins to England in 1939, when it was known as The Home Bound Meals Program.

Developed during World War II, the program was designed to help families impacted by the war.

It expanded to Milwaukee in 1960, and by early 1967, Marshfield’s city nurse recognized that many residents were not receiving adequate nutrition.

Marshfield officially launched the program in 1973, first operated by Ron’s Chuckwagon.

“As the program grew, volunteers were asked to help. The city Committee on Aging took over and ran it at that time, but they found that they needed more financial help and asked United Way to help fund the program,” Armbruster said. “The United Way and Saint Joseph’s Hospital put the program together, and in 1986 changed the name from Home Bound Meals to Home Delivered Meals. They hired Jackie Zoellner as the coordinator, and the drivers who had driven prior to the merge came along.”

The service is available to all residents within the City of Marshfield, regardless of age, although most participants are older adults.

Deliveries operate 365 days a year.

On snow days, volunteers may choose whether to deliver, and cancellations are announced on Channel 7 and Channel 9. Individuals needing food during weather-related cancellations may contact Armbruster directly.

A hot meal costs $4.50, while a cold meal costs $3.

Participants may order one or both.

Program costs remain low due to United Way funding and the work of volunteer drivers.

Delivery occurs daily between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. by registered and screened volunteers.

Meals are prepared according to individual dietary needs, including diabetic, low cholesterol, edentulous (post–teeth extraction), gluten-free, 2GNA (low sodium), no MSG, puréed, ground, soft, heart-healthy and other restrictions.

Billing takes place at the end of each month and includes a menu for the coming month and a return envelope.

Cancellations may be made before 8:30 a.m. on the day of delivery.

Participants may schedule meals for selected days or for short periods.

Armbruster stated that even if you can’t afford the $4.50 or $3, you pay what you can, and United Way will pick up the rest of the cost, making sure everyone has a full meal.

The program served an estimated 1,761 meals per month this past year totaling approximately 21,132 meals annually in Marshfield.

“The current demographic for Marshfield indicates that 10.11% of Marshfield residents live below the poverty level,” Armbruster said. “36% of these people live alone.” She noted that 43% of Marshfield’s population is over age 50, and most program participants fall within this group. Demand is expected to increase by 2030 as the baby boomer generation ages into higher-need groups.

“Senior citizens in the state are expected to climb from its current 13% to 21% by that time.”

For some participants, delivery drivers may be the only individuals they see each day.

“We are that other set of hands and eyes,” Armbruster said. “90% of the medicine for them staying well is being in their own environment.”

Home Delivered Meals currently operates with 135 volunteer drivers, but additional volunteers are needed.

Individuals or businesses interested in volunteering may contact Kris Armbruster at (715) 387-9585 or hughes.kristin@marshfieldclinic.org.

Current supporting volunteer groups include Marshfield Lions Club, Marshfield Rotary, Mueller Local, Ray’s Electric, Simplicity Bank, Thimbleberry Books and Altrusa.

This story is part of an ongoing series on local food insecurity.