Meal Delivery Experiences Today

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
I made 3 deliveries and when I got back in my car after the fourth, my car wouldn't start. Luckily I was near a convenience store and was able to persuade a gentleman to give me a jump. At first he said he didn't have cables, but I do, so he was trapped (LOL). After finishing the route, I went to a local auto part store. The tech tested the battery and informed me it was a little over 2 (whatever that means) and that was about half of what it should be. Instead of fussing around all winter with a weak battery, I just bought a new one while I was there - $152.

Also, one of the clients tried to give me money. I got the impression he wanted it to be a belated holiday gift. Of course I wouldn't take it - #1, it's againt policy and #2, I don't need it. He looked so hurt, though.
 

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debodun said:
You can't choose what you get. Everyone gets the same thing on any day. Also, meal delivery hours are between 11am and 1pm. The meal center closes at 1:30 pm and I have to have the food chests back by then. However, pasta and meatballs IS on the menu for tomorrow - how did you know that?
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I make my own meals, and love doing so, but just curious for when my time comes, what are some of the meals like? And do they offer vegetarian meals? And are they overcooked like in cafeteria type restaurants? I don't go there anymore, either. You don't have to reply, no hard feelings.
 
debodun said:
You can't choose what you get. Everyone gets the same thing on any day. Also, meal delivery hours are between 11am and 1pm. The meal center closes at 1:30 pm and I have to have the food chests back by then. However, pasta and meatballs IS on the menu for tomorrow - how did you know that?
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LOL, I didn't know. I just felt like having some.

Guess I'm out of luck then :LOL:
 
Catlady said:
I make my own meals, and love doing so, but just curious for when my time comes, what are some of the meals like? And do they offer vegetarian meals? And are they overcooked like in cafeteria type restaurants? I don't go there anymore, either. You don't have to reply, no hard feelings.
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They look a lot like TV dinners - a divided disposable plastic tray - for protein, vegetable and starch. I don't ever remember there being a vegan meal offered - they have what they call "veggie breakfast" from time to time, but that also includes sausage. Then you get a half-pint of 1% milk and a dessert which is usually canned fruit, but sometimes they have cake or a crumble-type sweet.

Here is a link to the menus - click on the month you wish to view:

https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/departments/office-for-the-aging/meal-calendar/
 
debodun said:
They look a lot like TV dinners - a divided disposable plastic tray - for protein, vegetable and starch. I don't ever remember there being a vegan meal offered - they have what they call "veggie breakfast" from time to time, but that also includes sausage. Then you get a half-pint of 1% milk and a dessert which is usually canned fruit, but sometimes they have cake or a crumble-type sweet.

Here is a link to the menus - click on the month you wish to view:

https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/departments/office-for-the-aging/meal-calendar/
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Not bad! But, being a vegetarian, if my time comes I need those meals I'll be screw*d, they all have meats. Oh well, I can always eat the other stuff. What do those people do for food when there's no deliveries, like on holidays? Hope they keep some stuff in the fridge.
 
I carry a battery box in all the vehicles in my fleet (3 in total - ha ha), so I can jump myself. (Sounds odd doesn't it) But at times one or more vehicles may sit for months on end without being started.

If I had a true fleet, it would be pirate ships.
 
When people register for meal delivery, they can also request "emergency meals" to tide them over if there is no delivery on a cetain day and also meals for over the weekend which are usually delivered on Thursdays. Currently, only one client has enrolled for emergency and weekend meals. I guess they are on their own, otherwise, but I'm sure they have made arrangements - nobody on my route looks like they are starving. LOL
 
The Meals on Wheels menu depends in part on the tax base of the county, although they get fed funds (I think).
My town of 16k tax base has eroded because(!) they keep giving land away to get hamburger joints, any business is welcome to tax cuts
and property tax waived for 5-7 years.

The philosophy of 'grow or die' is a misnomer (worse than that). This little town was doing fine until the Chamber of Commerce said 'Get any joint that can produce jobs and growth. We'll get the money back in ten years.
I am not complaining, but it is short-sighted behavior.

So we need more money for the county the new 'industries' burger joints and similar storefront 'industries' increase the home and property tax.
Go figure!
The heads of departments for the county are earning 33k per year. In Dallas it would be 60K minimum. The county commissioners have been
promising salary increases for years, 'only to say.'
"Sorry."
 
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debodun said:
They look a lot like TV dinners - a divided disposable plastic tray - for protein, vegetable and starch. I don't ever remember there being a vegan meal offered - they have what they call "veggie breakfast" from time to time, but that also includes sausage. Then you get a half-pint of 1% milk and a dessert which is usually canned fruit, but sometimes they have cake or a crumble-type sweet.

Here is a link to the menus - click on the month you wish to view:

https://www.saratogacountyny.gov/departments/office-for-the-aging/meal-calendar/
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Disposable one-use plastic tray?? Nooooooooo.
 
debodun said:
When people register for meal delivery, they can also request "emergency meals" to tide them over if there is no delivery on a cetain day and also meals for over the weekend which are usually delivered on Thursdays. Currently, only one client has enrolled for emergency and weekend meals. I guess they are on their own, otherwise, but I'm sure they have made arrangements - nobody on my route looks like they are starving. LOL
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Are these people bedridden or disabled and can't make simple meals? Do they look like they're taking advantage of the service? I think it should be given according to poverty level or health needs (blind, disabled, very sick etc).
 
Catlady said:
Are these people bedridden or disabled and can't make simple meals? Do they look like they're taking advantage of the service? I think it should be given according to poverty level or health needs (blind, disabled, very sick etc).
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I think they may be seniors on a fixed budget==very low income; maybe they can cook but getting a meal delivered saves them some money they can use on other needs. But I don't know, that's just my guess....my 2 cents for what it's worth :sneaky: OTOH they may be disabled too.
 
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Ruthanne said:
I think they may be seniors on a fixed budget==very low income; maybe they can cook but getting a meal delivered saves them some money they can use on other needs. But I don't know, that's just my guess....my 2 cents for what it's worth :sneaky: OTOH it may be disabled too.
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I don't know anything about it and don't know anyone getting those meals, that's why I have so many questions. I'm also very cynical and think too many people know how to ''work the system'' and are not really needy/poor or disabled and can't cook for themselves.
 
Catlady said:
I don't know anything about it and don't know anyone getting those meals, that's why I have so many questions. I'm also very cynical and think too many people know how to ''work the system'' and are not really needy/poor or disabled and can't cook for themselves.
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Many social programs like Meals on Wheels require people to show proof of income when registering for them. The way I know is because I have had to show mine when in need.
 
Catlady said:
I'm also very cynical and think too many people know how to ''work the system'' and are not really needy/poor or disabled and can't cook for themselves.
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I've been miffed at times. I make a meal delivery and after I am done I go grocery shopping and see a client shopping also. Why are they getting meals if they can get out and shop for food?

A few clients might say "Put the meal in the fridge.", and when I open the door, there is so much food I can't find a place to put the tray. Sometimes the fridge is full of old food trays which indicate to me they aren't even eating the meals. Sometimes I think the people just get the meals to have someone visit once a day to make sure they are okay or to have someone to chat with for a few minutes.
 
The only people in our town don't deliver food for the poor....The people have to go to the church to get their food....
I use to work there when I was working in the school system...Us girls would go a couple of times in the morning
and help pass out the food....(I don't do this anymore...I am retired and they do have younger people helping out)

We had a couple of years ago, many poor Mexican's coming to our town....The men mostly did road work when the
highway was worked on to make it a 4 lane highway....It seems most have left the area....Don't know why...or maybe
people were not renting their homes....We now have a boom with new homes starting up....Mostly expensive homes...
 
debodun said:
I've been miffed at times. I make a meal delivery and after I am done I go grocery shopping and see a client shopping also. Why are they getting meals if they can get out and shop for food?

A few clients might say "Put the meal in the fridge.", and when I open the door, there is so much food I can't find a place to put the tray. Sometimes the fridge is full of old food trays which indicate to me they aren't even eating the meals. Sometimes I think the people just get the meals to have someone visit once a day to make sure they are okay or to have someone to chat with for a few minutes.
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I HATE wasting food! When I try a new recipe and don't really like it, I force myself to eat all the portions unless it's just unbearable. Can you report them? I mean, that food could have gone to people who really need it, it's a waste of resources and of volunteer time.
 
Catlady said:
it's a waste of resources and of volunteer time.
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I know what you mean. I abhor seeing food wasted and it is a minor inconvenience to deliver and not have the food consumed especially to clients who live miles away from the "main" part of the route.

I have reported these incidents numerous times, all they meal service can do is contact the client or their representative. It's not part of my job to follow up on this, however. Another problem, especially in winter, are clients who do not do snow removal. Sometimes my car almost gets stuck in driveways, or I have to climb over hip-deep snowbanks to get to their homes. Last summer I was attacked by one client's dog. I reported him several times becasue people with aggressive pets are supposed to confine them, but he never did. He is no longer on my route, so I guess the word finally got through and he opted to not take meals.

Currently, theer are 12 clients (which could change at any time). I've had as few as 6 and as many as 23 on my route. Currently it's 25.4 miles and can take anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes depending on circumstances. I often think about quitting, but then I wouldn't have access to the giveaways at the senior center.
 
debodun (post 21)
There are times when a good ass wupping is the appropriate response. Obviously, that time is long past, but Damn!

I get 10 meals delivered every two weeks, as I live in the rural.
That once a day does not make sense to me: Is that done to deliver a meal and to check on the client to see if they have fallen, dead, in dire need of help?

I have to go to Wal-marts once a month or once every two months for essentials.
(If I can find a handicapped parking...the grocery carts make a great walker then set waiting for a scooter.
I can walk 30 feet or so, with canes, my vanity forbids I get rolling walker out of trunk, plus I can't lift it;
going to wal-marts is a social function-'to go out amongst the people.' )

One cannot realize how many steps is required to prepare a mean until it is no longer physically possible.
The standing upright for over five minutes is not possible.

Yes,yes, yes, their are those receiving Meals on Wheels that are perfectly capable of doing their own meal preparation.
The program has been abused since it's inception.

Again, you are correct, there are folks that abuse the Meals on Wheels program. When I worked for the Welfare Dept
I encountered many 'clients' that had no business receiving MOW'S. Their abuse of the program really pissed me off.
 

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