Jennifer Buzzard is the mobile meals coordinator for Kosciusko County Senior Services. She oversees volunteer drivers and senior citizens who get the meals delivered directly to their homes in Kosciusko County. Photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
Staff Writer

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Senior Services provides the county’s only mobile meals program. The dedicated administrators and volunteers stay busy delivering up to 350 midday meals a week to customers in Warsaw, Milford, Syracuse, North Webster and the Etna Green area.

Jennifer Buzzard has been the agency’s mobile meals coordinator since August 2021. She enjoys making sure more than 75 senior citizens get hot meals delivered right to their doors.

“The deliveries are not just meals, but also a wellness check and a chance for conversation and companionship,” Buzzard said.

Buzzard grew up in Goshen and graduated from Goshen High School in 1994. She attended Harrison College, where she earned an associate degree in medical science. She worked at Goshen Hospital for 15 years. Last year, she started her job as the Mobile Meals coordinator for Kosciusko County.

KCSS contracts with several vendors to obtain the meals, which are delivered year-round Monday through Friday.

The food services department for a Warsaw hospital serves some of the agency’s eight routes. For two of the routes, volunteers pick up meals in Syracuse for the town’s Mobile Meals recipients and at Harvest Coffee to cover Milford customers.

Frozen meals for use during the weekend are also available. All meals are low sodium.

“We need volunteers now because some drivers go to Florida or don’t like driving in this weather or are afraid to slip and fall,” said Buzzard.

She noted 98% of the drivers are retirees.

“We have 150 volunteer drivers and around 78 seniors who get the meals,” Buzzard said. Some organizations, like the Lions Clubs and Kiwanis Clubs, also help deliver the meals, as well as businesses, such as Bart’s Watersports in North Webster.

“I work out the schedules for the drivers, and I get calls for those who need meals,” she noted.

Meal recipients must be at least 60 years old and live in Kosciusko County.

“We basically charge by how much income the customer has left after paying all their bills,” she said. “REAL Services kicks in and pays the rest of the price for the meals.”

Meals typically cost $5, depending on each person’s financial circumstances.

It is a job Buzzard has a strong passion for. Sometimes, said Buzzard, she has to fill in and deliver meals herself.

“I like when I get to drive,” she said.

A Goshen resident, she is married to husband, Matt, and they have one son, 26; one grandchild, Theo, who is three months old; and two rescue dogs.

Her hobbies include shopping for antiques; collecting hurricane lamps, Pyrex and glassware; and doing crafts.

“Oh, and I love cows,” she smiled. “I love animals.”

Buzzard said she definitely feels like she is making a difference in the community.

“At the end of the day, you feel that you helped a senior. If you want to help the community, be a volunteer,” she said.

Mobile Meals, a nonprofit, is looking for monetary donations and volunteers. For more information, to volunteer or make a donation, call (574) 267-2912 or visit kosciuskoseniorservices.org.