sundays

the friendship center
meals on wheels
BY AMANDA HENSLEY
Ms. Ethel & Kris Dimlich
Senior citizens, although one of the most-loved and
well-respected groups in society, are often forgotten
or unintentionally neglected in the hustle and bustle of life’s
daily grind. Many find themselves homebound, unable to do
things they did before and often alone because their spouse
has passed away.
For homebound seniors in Montgomery County, there is
hope. The Friendship Center, founded in 1973, is a non-profit
organization dedicated to enriching the lives of the senior
citizen community in Montgomery County by meeting social,
physical and emotional needs of anyone over the age of 60
in need of help. One of the most impactful programs offered
by the organization is the Meals on Wheels program, through
which volunteers bring warm meals to seniors in their homes
each week.
Kris Dimlich has played an active role in the Meals on
Wheels program for over six years now, delivering meals to
recipients who have come to think of her as family. Knowing
of the large waiting list for the Meals on Wheels service,
Kris took it upon herself to lead a new campaign to raise
funds for resources specifically to expand the impact of
the program in Montgomery County. The annual campaign
began three years ago and has achieved incredible results,
including a 65% increase in funds raised for this year alone.
Kris is excited about the awareness the campaign brings to
the program and looks forward to the 2014 campaign which
will run from the first of March through the end of June
The one-on-one time spent with Meals on Wheels
recipients has given Kris insight to the needs of homebound
seniors and the state of the Meals on Wheels program. This
has proven invaluable as she also serves on The Friendship
Center’s Board of Directors, striving daily to change the
statistics for many homebound seniors. “My experience with
my own grandparents and great-grandparents who lived
into their 90’s is what first made me aware of the care that
seniors require,” says Dimlich. “Age does not discriminate and
if we all live long enough, we’ll be seniors one day too. Some
people shy away from helping the elderly because it’s not
cancer, or a disability, but rather a phase of life, but this is a
societal issue that will never go away.”
When community members call and ask for an
opportunity to experience a Meals on Wheels route, Kris is
never hesitant to host someone in her passenger seat to
help them understand the need for the program. There are
currently 500 clients on service, with 105 on a waiting list
through The Friendship Center. That’s typically 10,000 meals
served each month, which equates to over 120,000 meals
served each year. Dimlich comments, “It’s always been my
pleasure to give true insight into what we do and how great
the need is here.”
For the seniors served, simple tasks such as running to
the store for milk or going outside to cover your pipes is not
an option. Furthermore, the visits they get from volunteers
are often the only social interactions they have all week. “It’s
hard to see this need, but it’s a rewarding experience,” says
Dimlich. “The elderly can’t just decide one day to put on a
smile and make that day the day to change their lives. It’s
just not that simple for them. That’s where we can provide
assistance; where we can give them hope.”
Directing an organization such as this takes time, talent,
skilled direction and plenty of volunteers. There are daily
opportunities to be the hands and feet of The Friendship
Center, as well as an ongoing need for funding and donations.
The Friendship Center has been “Enriching the Lives of Senior
Adults” for 40 years now, and will continue to do so for years
to come thanks to those who give and are committed to their
cause, but not without community involvement.
The Friendship Center has a perpetual waiting list
for seniors who need care, but many are not able to be
supported by the center due to limited funds. With the Baby
Boomer generation approaching their 60’s and 70’s, the
current challenge will grow rapidly with an expected 65,000
adults over the age of 65 right here in Montgomery County
by the year 2015. The Friendship Center, however, is ready
and willing to take it on with your help.
i
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
On The Friendship Center, how to volunteer or to
locate a community center, visit
www.tfcseniorservices.org
16 onthetown onthetowntexas.com
OTT Texas JanFeb Issue.indd 16
1/28/2014 1:23:43 PM