Submitted photo Meals on Wheels volunteers Rhonda Coffman, left, and Beverly Bennett, right, met with the Elkins Rotary Club at a recent meeting. Joining them is Elkins Rotary Club President Phillips Kolsun.

ELKINS – Randolph County Meals on Wheels volunteers Rhonda Coffman and Beverly Bennett spoke with the Elkins Rotary Club at a recent Monday meeting.

The Meals on Wheels program originated in Europe in 1943 during the London blitz of WWII. The Women’s Voluntary Services provided meals from their own homes to those in need; The program was brought to the United States in 1946.

Meals on Wheels of Randolph County was founded in 1973 by a group of community members who recognized a need in the local area. “They were people who got together and knew there was an issue in Elkins in 1973, that there were people with food insecurity, so they applied to state to be a 501(c)(3) and that’s how we got started,” said Coffman. “The first delivery was in February 1973 with seven clients, all within the city limits of Elkins, who had been referred by their doctors.” During its first month of operation, Meals on Wheels served 80 meals that were provided by Davis Memorial Hospital and Memorial General Hospital. Office space was provided by, and continues to be provide by, the Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church. By the end of 1973, there were 36 clients who had been served 2,050 meals.

Initial funding for Meals on Wheels was provided by the City of Elkins (through 1987), local churches and organizations. Currently, the organization is funded by Tygarts Valley United Way, the Randolph County Commission, local churches, organizations and individuals as well as Vandalia Health Davis Medical Center that provides the meals below cost. Additionally, those receiving Meals on Wheels must pay a fee per meal, between $1.00 and $4.00, depending on their circumstances, to help offset the cost of the service. “Every client has to pay something and the least they can get by with is $1.00 per meals, basically $20.00 per month,” added Coffman.

Currently, Meals on Wheels serves 55 clients who are over the age of 60, or who are disabled, living within 5 driving miles of Vandalia Health Davis Medical Center, and requiring assistance with meals preparation. Two trays of prepared meals are delivered: one tray contains hot food, and one contains cold food. The meals are available for delivery Monday through Friday. Those receiving the meals have the option of having meals delivered just on the days they wish; they don’t have to have meals delivered all five days. “To offset having to pay for it, they get a meal twice a week, or maybe three times a week,” added Coffman.

Meals are delivered by volunteers who donate their time, use their personal vehicles and pay for their own gas. Each day, five to six volunteers are needed to ensure that Meals on Wheels operates efficiently. Volunteers arrive at the hospital at 9:30 to load their deliveries and it takes approximately 2 hours to complete the route. “We currently have 23 volunteers who are committed to one day a week and then we have eleven who are substitutes who fill in as needed,” said Bennett. “Most of them are retired, the majority of them are in their late 70s, early 80s. We always need volunteers. We deliver in pairs. One person uses their personal vehicle to drive to the homes, the other walks the meals to the door.”

In addition to delivering food, Meals on Wheels offers a daily home visit. “It is more than just a meal. Sometimes we’re the only person they have contact with outside the home. We have had instances where we’ve found clients who were in distress and we’ve been able to help them. We had a gentleman that had fallen and when he heard the knock, he was able to yell out and we were able to help him,” said Bennett. “We have instances where if someone comes to the door every single day to get their meal and one day they don’t come to the door, we try to call them. If we can’t reach them, we do have an emergency contact and we reach out to them.”

“Anybody who thinks they can give any time, if you could only give one day a month, one day, one morning, we would love to have you,” concluded Coffman. “Just think of all the friendly faces you get to see, and all the people you get to make happy.”

More information about Randolph County Meals on Wheels can be found at the organization’s Facebook page, ‘Meals on Wheels – Randolph County, WV,’ by emailing MOWRCWV@yahoo.com or by calling 304.636.419. Donations can be mailed to Meals on Wheels of Randolph County, 450 Randolph Ave., Elkins, WV 26241.

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in their communities, and in themselves. Visit www.Rotary.org to learn more about Rotary International, visit the club’s Facebook page – Rotary Club of Elkins – or contact 2025-2026 club president Phillips Kolsun at phillipskolsun@gmail.com for more information about the Rotary Club of Elkins.