Client Experience: Meals On Wheels of Sheboygan County
Every month, we feature a United Way Partner Agency’s client experience, demonstrating the impact that donations to United Way of Sheboygan County are making. This month’s client experience was submitted directly by Meals On Wheels of Sheboygan County, as part of their annual application for Meals On Wheels program funding.
We have many clients who touch our hearts, but one in particular, recently came to light. This person, Marcus*, falls under each of our outcomes, from receiving meals and well visits, to being connected with other agencies and ultimately, being able to remain living independently at home. Defying the preconception that Meals On Wheels is just for the old, let us tell you about Marcus. Here is his story...
Marcus was first connected to Meals On Wheels back in 2009. He would join and leave the program, always having financial issues, despite the cost of his meals being covered many of the times. Marcus is in his late 30’s and has some mild cognitive disabilities, social anxiety and no teeth. This combination makes it difficult for him to prepare food that meets all of his nutritional requirements. Various doctors kept telling Marcus that he needed to eat more, but cooking was too difficult.
In March 2015, Marcus called looking to restart meals. He had lost a significant amounts of weight and was very unhealthy. In addition to serving him hot meals three days a week and providing frozen meals for the weekend, our client coordinator connected Marcus with some community resources, including Love INC. and Family Service Association. Our client coordinator also went above and beyond to help get him shelf-stable meals and some basic necessities like toiletry items, which allowed his budget to be stretched further.
Last summer Marcus was trying to make ends meet and told us he needed to stop receiving meals so he could continue to pay for medication and other bills. We continued to provide him meals at no charge until he was able to partially pay for meals again. Before the end of 2015 Marcus called to say his doctors were pleased with the weight he has been able to gain in the last year – he is up by more than 10 pounds!
The combination of services have helped Marcus get a handle on his finances, and he has even been able to visit Lakeshore Community Health for dental work.
“Your meals have been keeping me alive. They are all I am able to eat and I don’t know what I would do without them.” – Marcus*
*Name changed to protect client confidentiality.