Meals Provide Comfort and a Well-Balanced Diet

Until five years ago, Eugene Allen had never lived alone.

“I just never really adapted to it and taking care of everything by myself,” he says.

Eugene, who’s 85, lives in the Richfield apartment where he lived with his wife, Ellen, of 54 years. He’s retired from a career in business administration, where he worked with hospitals and senior housing developers. They raised their two sons in Shakopee, where Ellen was a schoolteacher who also taught English as a second language to adults outside of regular school hours.

Ellen was particularly proud of her work teaching Somali adults who moved to the area in the 1990s, says Eugene. “They all said, if you want to learn English, go to Mrs. Allen.”

The Allens with their two sons, Neil and Ryan.

Eugene always assumed Ellen would outlive him, but about five years ago she passed away. Adjusting to life without her was hard, as was establishing new routines and providing food for himself.

Like Eugene, 71% of meal recipients live alone. Regularly cooking meals that comprise a balanced diet can be a challenge for older adults who live alone, particularly for those with limited mobility or budgets.

As Ellen did much of the cooking, Eugene didn’t have the experience to get the variety in his diet that he needed when cooking for himself. When a friend mentioned Meals on Wheels to him, he thought he’d give it a try. He got connected with Cov Pluas Noj Hauv Crosstown Uas Muaj Log, his neighborhood program.

“Meals on Wheels has been very important to me because my family does not have to worry about me getting the appropriate food or not eating.”

His only relatives nearby are a son and daughter-in-law in South Minneapolis. “They call and check on me every morning about breakfast time before they go to work. That’s really nice.”

He also appreciates the community he’s found within his apartment building. “And I certainly am thankful for the people who are volunteering their time for Meals on Wheels to make deliveries,” says Eugene.

He pays for his meals and says that what he gets for the price helps make his budget go further. Those, like Eugene, who can afford the cost of the meals help local Meals on Wheels programs serve more individuals in need who are unable to pay.

“Our spending power changes as we get older and everything gets more pricey,” he says. “Medical costs have gone up, too. The other thing that happens to a lot of senior citizens, and it happened to me, is when you lose your spouse one of your incomes disappears on you. Their Social Security goes away, and you don’t have as much to live on.”

For Eugene and his family, a healthy meal each day is one thing they know is taken care of by Meals on Wheels.

Learn more about txais zaub mov noj, kev pab dawb lossis ua tus pub dawb to support the delivery of meals to your neighbors.