Thank You to the Volunteers Making a Difference at Wheeling Township

During National Volunteer Month, Wheeling Township would like to recognize the hundreds of volunteers who continue to provide vital services to fellow residents throughout the year. Thousands of volunteer hours were donated by these dedicated volunteers between March 1, 2024 – February 28 of this year, in Township Food Pantry, through assisting seniors with Medicare questions, or delivering food to homebound residents.

“There are hundreds of volunteers in our Township who make a huge difference to so many of their fellow residents,” said Township Supervisor Kathleen Penner. “Their generosity, whether with time or compassion, complemented by their dedication, allows us to positively impact the community even more.”

The Food Pantry and the Home Delivered Meal Program utilize the largest number of volunteers, relative to the many programs offered by the Township.

Food Pantry: Nearly 50 volunteers assisted residents with shopping, bagging groceries, sorting donations and stocking the Food Pantry shelves. Julie Villarreal, Director of General Assistance, said, “Our Food Pantry couldn’t operate without our volunteer ‘crew.’ They provided 4,767 hours of service to help our Pantry run. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication.”

Last year, the Food Pantry fed 13,413 people. Those who received food included 3,026 kids under the age of 18 (22.5%) and 5,682 seniors (42.3%). Volunteers commit to a 3-hour shift every week during one of the 11 weekly shifts, which includes a morning and afternoon shift every day, and a mid-day swing shift on Wednesdays.

Home Delivered Meal Program (HDM): There were 10,895 hot and cold meals delivered by volunteers to homebound seniors over the age of 60 (and permanently disabled persons over 18 years of age). Freshly prepared meals are delivered five days a week, and even on holidays. The HDM program works with 350 year-round volunteers from the community, as well as 25 local houses of worship that deliver meals during an assigned month; the vast majority of volunteers are seniors over 65 years of age, and they contributed more than 3,600 hours of time to ensure the program’s success.

Other Township programs that utilize volunteers during the same time frame include: the AARP Tax-Aide Program which utilized 20 volunteers to prepare and file residents’ taxes, and five SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) volunteers, who provide both Medicare information and guidance, as well as Benefit Access filing. Lastly, the Township’s Senior Advisory Board is comprised of 11 older volunteers who represent the overall Township and focus on the needs of seniors who live in the community.

For more information about the Township’s Food Pantry, contact Director of General Assistance Julie Villarreal at GA@wheelingtownship.com. To learn more about the Township’s Home Delivered Meal Program or other Senior Services, contact Director of Senior/Disability Services Lynndah Lahey at llahey@wheelingtownship.com.

Through its dedication to providing services to residents, whether by helping them maintain their independence, sustain their health, or by offering critical assistance during times of need, Wheeling Township continues to make a significant difference in the community…as it has since 1850. For more information, visit wheelingtownship.com.