MOW Diablo Region: Cafés Continue to Adapt During Crisis

When the Covid-19 pandemic began, Meals on Wheels Diablo Region was forced to shutter its five C.C. Café lunch sites. The organization made meals available for participants to pick-up at each site, but it became clear that the shelter-in-place order was going to become part of the consistent response to Covid-19 and the agency would need to make longer-term adjustments.

“By the following week, MOW Diablo Region’s staff and volunteers were making meal deliveries to the seniors who normally would have a sit-down lunch in one of our cafés,” says C.C. Café Specialist Bonnie Paulson.

MOW Diablo Region is now delivering 2,200 meals every week to 440 Café clients. They are people like Katie, who appreciates having her Café meal delivered to her home. “I’m extremely grateful beyond words for the nutritious and delicious meals you are now delivering to my home. Thank you for the generosity, kindness, and compassion that you fold into every meal.”

MOW Diablo Region has also seen an overall increase in the services it provides and is delivering to 40% more clients who have been added to the Café program. “Covid-19 has showed how many more people should have been receiving delivered meals,” says Caitlin Sly, Executive Director. “It also demonstrates how fragile the support system is for so many older adults.”

Serving meals was only part what the Cafés provided. It also allowed for social interaction that plays a large part in the overall health of the seniors MOW Diablo Region serves. Once the challenge of delivering the meals to Café clients was solved, Paulson and her team wanted to address the lack of social connection that Café clients were now experiencing. “The Café events were always a hot ticket in the senior community. We arranged for speakers, special goodie bags, themed parties, and activities. We brought the fun!”

Paulson and her team were determined to bring back the fun. They resumed a much-enjoyed activity at the Cafés online called Armchair Travel. This interactive event allows seniors to share photos, stories, and fun facts about places they have traveled. “Armchair Travel really lifts the spirits of homebound seniors,” says Paulson. “Those who are able to participate really enjoy it!” The online activities also allow seniors to see friends, something many haven’t had the opportunity to do since before the pandemic. It’s a step back to normal life!

Our staff had the determination to both deliver meals and as much socialization as we could during this difficult time,” adds Sly. “It’s what we do – Meals on Wheels Diablo Region is more than a meal. We deliver services that help keep seniors healthy.”

Meals on Wheels Diablo Region is the only Meals on Wheels that delivers both meals and services to seniors in Contra Costa County. To learn more visit www.mowdiabloregion.org