Midlothian volunteer proud to be part of enhancing the quality of life for the area’s elderly through Meals-on-Wheels

Lou Rodgers of Midlothian has always been involved in her community. A resident of the Ellis County town since 1964, Rodgers said senior citizens have always held a special place in her heart.

Her weekly commitment to Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties is testimony to her tireless devotion to the area’s elderly. Rodgers demonstrates an energy and outlook that evokes the exuberant warbling of a songbird on a summer morning. She brightens as she talks about the clients along the route that she’s come to love. “I think that it is a luxury to them that they can count on this meal,” Rodgers replied. “They’re all on a fixed income.”

Rodgers empathizes with her clients and said that they’ve reached a point in their lives when simple tasks become difficult. “They don’t feel good or it’s just them and they don’t want to cook just for themselves,” she said.

Grady Briggs is a classic example of Rodger’s analogy. When Rodgers drops off Briggs’ midday meal, his poodles are there to meet and greet. Briggs has a difficult time rising from his chair and expresses a bit of frustration with his limited range of motion. My knees just aren’t what they used to be, he laments.  

Ida Nell Odell is another senior with limited mobility. “I’m really not sick, I’m just crippled up,” she said. She’s proud to have Rodgers weekly visits and the lunches that are delivered Monday through Friday. “It’s a good thing to have around,” she added.

Rodgers stops to visit with each senior for a few minutes before heading on to her next stop. “You just get attached to them,” she said. “They have one little routine daily and they do that same routine every day and they don’t get to get out very much.”Rodgers added that the program is so much more than meets the eye. Each client has physical and/or mental challenges that can be overwhelming.“They lose all desire to do anything extra,” Rodgers explained. “Their desire to progress is gone. They’re wearing out.”

Pauline Herring is another client whose mobility issues have her confined to a recliner in her duplex living room. Rodgers provides not only a weekly appointment that Herring anticipates, she also considers her to be Rodgers to be a trusted confidant.

“Meals on Wheels has been wonderful,” Herring announced.”They have been great. I couldn’t ask for any nicer people.”

Rodgers maintains a simple philosophy in her overall approach. 

“If you want a friend, you’ve got to be a friend,” she stated.

Volunteers are needed in Midlothian and surrounding communities to deliver nourishing meals to the homebound and elderly. Convenient “pick-up points” expedite the delivery process for volunteers in their prospective communities. Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties deliver noontime meals Monday through Friday in most of the communities served. Meals-on-Wheels is a dual-county program covering over 1,700 square miles.

“A route takes no more than an hour to deliver, and provides the daily contact for those we serve,” said Amy Jackson, director of development. “We continue to need volunteers to help get meals delivered, as well as local monies to support our organization,” she added. Meals-on-Wheels is a community-based, non-profit organization serving the homebound elderly and disabled residents throughout Johnson and Ellis Counties. 

For more information about Meals-on-Wheels services, please contact Meals-on-Wheels at 972-351-9943,  817-558-2840 or email info@mowjec.org.

Lou Rodgers delivers a noontime meal to clients in Midlothian.

Lou Rodgers pauses to talk with Ida Nell Odell during her Meals-on-Wheels deliveries.