BY KAITLYN WEBB, MS, RDN – We are approaching the end of July, and summer is going strong. While our social activities may look a little different this year due to the pandemic, one thing has not changed: summer produce! Eating seasonal produce has so many benefits.
Homes of about a dozen MEOC clients received much-needed repairs and renovations in late June as part of a local faith group’s mission project. Wise Baptist Church joined with the Nickelsville-based Southwest Virginia Partnership to build eight wheelchair ramps, replace two roofs, clean gutters, paint exteriors and complete various handyman projects for the clients.
MEOC Emergency Services Director Marsha Craiger and Executive Director Michael Wampler give an update on this year’s Walkathon.
Mountain Empire Older Citizens’ (MEOC) 44th Annual Walkathon, which raises money for its Emergency Fuel Fund for the Elderly, will be a little different this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be virtual. The Walkathon is the Emergency Fuel Fund’s major fundraiser. The program assists older people throughout Lee, Wise and Scott counties and the City of Norton with winter heating costs. Last winter, 1,056 older friends and neighbors were assisted with heating-related emergencies at a cost of over $227,000. This year’s Walkathon goal is $165,000.
The Mountain Laurel Cancer Support and Resource Center (MLCC) has been awarded a $500 hunger and poverty grant by the United Methodist Appalachian Ministry Network (UMAMN). The money will provide prescribed liquid nutrition to an additional 21 cancer patients served by MLCC. Cancer patients have faced isolation and numerous unknowns during the pandemic.
If you or someone you know is having a difficult time purchasing prescription medications, Pharmacy Connect of Southwest Virginia may be able to help. The program provides free or low-cost prescription medications to those who meet eligibility guidelines in Lee, Wise, Scott, Dickenson, Buchanan, Tazewell and Russell counties and the City of Norton. Medication assistance caseworkers can help people of all ages by accessing Indigent Patient Assistance Programs of over 250 national pharmaceutical companies.
Older persons in need of emergency cooling assistance this summer may find it through Mountain Empire Older Citizens’ Senior Cool Care program. The program, which runs from June 1 to Sept. 30, distributes a limited number of fans or air conditioners to older individuals with cooling needs on a first-come, first-served basis.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, MEOC’s home-delivered meals program has experienced a significant increase in numbers served. The number of delivered meals increased by 52 percent in a two-month period.
Executive Director Michael Wampler and Emergency Services Director Marsha Craiger share an important message about the 2020 MEOC Walkathon.
MEOC Transit will continue to offer free transportation for essential trips through July 31. Per Virginia Governor’s Executive Order, passengers must wear a face covering while on board public transit vehicles. MEOC has added other safety measures to protect drivers and passengers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bus sanitization frequency has increased. Passenger numbers per bus are limited. Drivers also wear protective face masks, and plastic curtains have been installed to separate drivers and passengers. Transit is maintaining its normal operating schedule of Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. As always, services are for all ages. Call (276) […]