Mobile Meals of Tucson delivers two medically prescribed meals a day to about 230 people who can’t shop or prepare meals for themselves.
With a staff of only four full-time employees, the service is literally driven by volunteers. But right now, the local nonprofit is 18 drivers short of the 32 it needs to cover one route each in Tucson, Green Valley and Sahuarita.
“They are our eyes and our ears in the house,” said executive director Priscilla Altuna. “We use the food to get us in the door, and our volunteers … go in and make sure the client is doing all right, and if they see any issues or changes in behavior, they let us know.
“[Another] thing, especially with the clients who live alone, is the safety check. With a lot of people, our volunteer might be the only person our client sees all day,” Altuna said.
Running a nonprofit requires a balance between accommodating volunteers and providing for clients. Altuna said they try to assign drivers routes close to their neighborhoods, and only ask volunteers to drive for about two hours a day, once a week.
Volunteer coordinator Jeanne Miller said the typical delivery window around 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., means lots of people can help during their lunch break, and having companies on board and willing to let employees take a little extra time has been a saving grace in the past. But when drivers are short, like now, staff members like Miller have to pick up the slack. That could mean late deliveries, or even a missed route now and then, she said, putting their often elderly or ill clients at risk of missing meals and being alone for longer periods.
“My volunteers are absolutely awesome, but situations occur.” Miller said. Over the winter holidays, she said four drivers, many aging themselves, sustained back injuries, went traveling or fell ill. “I’ve noticed I just can’t replace the volunteers.” Miller said. “We really need to get the word out.”
Becoming a volunteer means a visit to the Mobile Meals office, 4803 E. Fifth St., a background check, and providing a driver’s license and proof of insurance.
The most important part, though, Miller said, is the ride-along. That’s where volunteers see the whole process from meal pickup at one of nine local health centers, to meeting clients along a route. Drivers must use their own cars, Miller said, and they are reimbursed for mileage.
The service provided by the locally founded and managed organization helps keep people healthy, safe, and in their homes. Altuna said this means a lighter burden on them, their families, and the community by saving the cost of inpatient health care and preventing worsening health issues.
“By helping to keep these people in their homes, they don’t have to seek out alternative, assisted living or even nursing care,” Altuna said. “This helps keep them healthy enough to stay at home. We also provide lots of support for a caregiver, which lots of times is a daughter or a niece. Especially if they’re on a special diet.
“And they’re happier. Maintaining that dignity is so important,” Altuna said.
While working with volunteers presents challenges, Altuna said the independent organization has made it work for 45 years, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“They perform an important task. They deliver the meals, but they really get connected to the clients. They really care about them.” Altuna said.
