The La Crosse County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) helps feed residents in the county. Now they’re looking for help to deliver more than a meal.
WEST SALEM, Wis. (WXOW) — The La Crosse County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) helps feed residents in the county.
Now they’re looking for help to deliver more than a meal.
It’s called the La Crosse County Senior Nutrition Program.
Monday through Friday, meals are delivered to seniors over the age of 60 around lunchtime by volunteers.
According to the ADRC, the program served 930 older adults with 73,654 meals in La Crosse County in 2023.
Justin Broers has been volunteers for four years, three of which have been in West Salem.
He volunteers three times a week and delivers meals to ten residents.
Broers starts his day at the library in West Salem where he picks up the meals for the people he delivers to.
“They know that I’ll be there,” Broers said. “They know the time frame that I’m usually coming around.”
After so many years of having the same delivery route, Broers started to form connections with the clients.
“The stories that you hear about, you know, when they were younger and if they were in the military,” Broers said. “Or where they worked – you get to know them very well.”
While it only takes the volunteers a few hours to deliver the meals, it’s important work providing these individuals with nutritious meals.
“There’s a lot of people that can’t get out of their house – they can’t drive, they no longer can cook,” ADRC client Wilbur Johnson said.
For Johnson, and others on Broers delivery route, it means so much to see a friendly face every day.
“Sometimes during the week, they may be the only people we talk to because we don’t get around that much anymore,” Johnson said. “Justin I didn’t know before he started delivering. Now I feel like I’ve known him all my life.”
Volunteers are primarily needed on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays in La Crosse. Those interested in volunteering in surrounding areas can contact 608-785-5700 to inquire.
Routes typically run 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mileage reimbursement is available.
For more information, and to find applications, click here.