Somers Meals on Wheels Needs Your Help

The Town of Somers Meals on Wheels (MOW) program has been operating continuously for 36 years independently of support from federal, state or local government funds. In 1981, the new Municipal Agent for the Elderly, Stan Peters, saw a need to provide nutritious meals for elderly, homebound residents and called for volunteers to help start the program. Alvina Burgess stepped forward and, with the help of other volunteers, organized the program.

After considering several options, Alvina asked the Playhouse Plaza Restaurant to prepare and pack the meals. This restaurant, through several ownership and name changes, recently Kathy’s Plaza Restaurant and now the Hometown Kitchen, has continued to provide the meals at cost. Their commitment and dedication is much appreciated by the Town of Somers.

The program provides meals 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year. It not only provides needed meals but also is a daily wellness check for our frail, elderly clients, many of whom live alone. The program was, for many years, completely run by volunteers but now is coordinated by the Town of Somers Human Services Department.

The cost of the meals ($4.00 for a hot meal, $3.00 for a cold meal) is set on a sliding scale. If the client has a financial need, there is a MOW subsidy program to assist. The subsidy program has been developed by the Human Services Department, the Advisory Committee for Seniors, and the Town of Somers Finance Department and utilizes income and asset guidelines similar to state and federal assistance programs.

The fund is totally supported by local churches, organizations and individuals and has been sufficient - until now. The number of clients has increased and the fund is running low. Government funding for MOW programs is being cut back or eliminated so government help is not an option at this time.

We ask for your help to replenish the Somers MOW fund so that we may continue to provide meals for our elderly homebound residents.

Donations can be sent to:

Town of Somers Meals on Wheels Program

Attn: Assistant Finance Director

600 Main St. PO Box 308

Somers, CT 06071