Y Kids deliver Meals on Wheels

WASHINGTON — Children from the Washington YMCA’s before and after school program spent some of their winter break piling into a 15-passenger van and delivering Meals on Wheels to residents of Washington on Dec. 27 and 29.

Washington Y Meals on Wheels Co-director Jolleen Cerka said the service had long been provided by the organization, but that getting Y Kids involved was a seasonal tradition.

“Our clients enjoy seeing the kids come to the door with the bags,” she said. “Some of our elderly people, maybe they wouldn’t ever get to see grand kids, or maybe their grand kids don’t live in this area, so it kind of helps fill that void.”

Kids on the delivery route brought food to doors, along with gifts made by hand for the recipients.

“They help with the Meals on Wheels as far as, maybe drawings or Christmas cards, or making some tiny little gift,” Cerka said. “Each child makes one, and then we insert them into the little gift bags that we give clients during the holiday season.”

Y Kids took turns bringing food to the doors of the roughly 30 Meals on Wheels recipients in Washington’s city limits, the range of the service for the area.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com