Kathy Patterson hands off meals for Jerry Patterson to load into the car for delivery.

Text and Photos
By Lilli Dwyer
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Mobile Meals, offered by Kosciusko County Senior Services, is designed to keep seniors independent longer by delivering food to those who may not be able to cook for themselves.

“Hopefully, the nutritious meals will help with their health,” said Karen Swinger, who has been driving for Mobile Meals for the past 50 years.

“This way we have somewhat of a check for somebody that’s having a health problem. We make contact at their home and if there is a problem we have emergency numbers to call,” said her husband, Mark Swinger.

Mobile Meals is available Monday through Friday for people over 60. There is a suggested donation for the service, determined by a person’s monthly income, but this is not strictly required.

“We would never stop anybody’s meals for not paying,” said Mobile Meals manager Jen Buzzard.

There are Mobile Meals routes over most of Kosciusko County, though there are currently not enough drivers to have routes in the Silver Lake or Bourbon areas.

“We could always use volunteer drivers,” Buzzard said.

Another of KCSS’ notable offerings is their transportation services, which provide handicapped-accessible van transportation to all of Kosciusko County.

KCSS van transportation driver Kenny Haack opens an umbrella for Carol Sproul on a rainy day. Van drivers will also help seniors in and out of vans, assist with wheelchairs and carry groceries for those who need it.

Van transportation is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and all vans are wheelchair accessible. Drivers will help anyone needing assistance getting from the house to the van, including assisting with wheelchairs and carrying groceries.

Transportation is provided within Kosciusko County only. There is a $5 suggested donation for trips within Warsaw and $7 for out of town trips. Priority is given to those with medical and nutritional needs first. Notification for extracurricular trips should be given seven to days in advance.

Along with medical appointments, groceries and shopping, seniors can get a van transportation ride to KCSS’ Senior Activity Center for lunch. Real Services serves a free hot lunch Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. There is a suggested donation of $4.25. Seniors can also play bingo on Thursdays for 50 cents per card.

The Senior Activity Center is located at 800 N. Park Ave., Warsaw. Some of the center’s offerings include physical activities like cardio drumming, chair volleyball, wacky ball and some light exercise classes. For those interested in handicraft, Liberty Sewing Circle meets there at 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Wood Carvers meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Cards, games and puzzles are available to play at noon Wednesdays. The center has also recently partnered with the Purdue Extension office to offer classes on subjects like Crock-Pot cooking, smartphone use, vegetable gardening and food safety. Most if not all activities are free or low cost.

“Seniors aren’t getting any richer,” said Buzzard. “We want to keep them as financially secure as possible. … We’re always here to assist.”

To set up Mobile Meals service, schedule a ride or volunteer, call Kosciusko Community Senior Services at 574-267-2012. For up-to-date information on events and activities at the Senior Activity Center, visit facebook.com/KoscSeniorServe/.

Mobile Meals manager Jen Buzzard, right, discusses routes with volunteer Karen Swinger.