Increased need for Mobile Meals drivers
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WARREN -- As the need for home-delivered meals increases, Trumbull Mobile Meals is facing the challenges of getting drivers to deliver those meals.
TMM officials said it delivers meals to more than 300 people countywide and that number is expected to increase to nearly 400 this year.
Audrey Novotny, CEO of TMM, said since she started last year the client base has increased significantly for those needing meals.
She said many older residents and homebound can't get food or afford meals because higher food prices.
TMM currently has 30 "loyal drivers" daily but can use five to 10 more.
The drivers arrive about 11 a.m. Monday to Friday at TMM in Warren and stay in their car while meals are placed in their vehicle, which, depending on the route, can be completed in one hour. Meals, which include hot meals and cold meals, are to be delivered by 1:30 p.m. A driver has an average of about 10 stops.
Novotny said drivers use their own vehicles and are reimbursed for mileage.
While there are volunteer drivers, TMM also seeks paid drivers who have longer delivery routes that take three to four hours and use TMM shuttle vans.
"There are routes in Niles and Cortland. They are high-priority routes. We are just continuing to grow. We had two paid drivers and now we have five,'' Novotny said.
She said drivers can pick their own routes and what days they will be available and added many drivers are retired or work and can take a lunch break and deliver.
"We have a lot of Realtors and people from Ulitium Cells," Novotny said.
She said for many of the people getting meals, the driver may be the only person they see and speak to that day.
"We are the only human contact they see all day. They may have no family members nearby." Novotny said.
Volunteers can stop at 323 E. Market St. and receive an application. Background checks will be done. Drivers need to show proof of insurance and a driver's license.
Wilbert Collins of Warren works in the kitchen preparing food and also delivers meals to eight stops in different parts of the county.
"I like to see the people and check on them to see if they are OK," he said. "They look forward to the meals and to speak with me. I have gotten to know people."
He has volunteered for the past 10 years.
Laquisha Beaver, food service manager at TMM, said many people have said they are happy to have the deliveries and to see someone that day.
"At the holidays, many people may be alone and enjoy seeing our drivers. We have a handful of clients who do not have families," she said.
Beaver said the cost of food and gas has affected many families.
BUILDING EXPANSION
Novotny said the expansion project on the west side of the building will begin this year and be completed in 2025.
She said currently they are looking for a project architect and developers.
"We will expand the entire building and construct a four-bay garage for our vans," she said. "The kitchen will be expanded because we are growing our client base."
An L-shaped property on the west side of the building was donated last year to TMM and that is where the expansion will be built.
The parking lot will be paved this year.
She said volunteers are needed for any department including packaging the meals.
"As we continue to grow we will always need them," Novotny said.
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