ORANJESTAD – The Meals On Wheels program in Aruba, sponsored by the Aruba Methodist Circuit, has been going on for 54 years. They have served many people who are shut-ins, elderly, and families that are unable to provide food for their families.
Doctors and social workers provide the names of people to be eligible for the program, to ensure that the people needing help are not already being helped by other organizations. Two hot meals are delivered weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays, all freshly-cooked food, cooked for the day of delivery. Food is prepared in the John Wesley Auditorium in San Nicolas, which is owned by the Aruba Methodist Circuit.
To this date, the program serves 80 people and has a waiting list.
They are in need of more funds and more workers to donate their time so that they can cover a larger area. They also would like to have another location in Oranjestad to prepare and deliver food. Of course, more money is needed to provide more service to people in need.
The program takes donations year round, but for the past two years, they have held Silent Auctions put on by the Aruba Methodist Circuit to raise money for the program. The Aruba Methodist Foundation supports Meals on Wheels when they are low on funds and in this way they have survived through the pandemic and other challenges.
Meals on Wheels had a van to make deliveries years ago, but it got so old that they started using the van from the church. That became a problem with age. This year, thanks to the two Silent Auctions and Food Extravaganzas of 2021 and 2022, that were supported by many generous businesses in Aruba, they were able to purchase a used minivan, something for which they feel blessed. As they continue to serve the people of Aruba, they plead for support.
The bank account for Meals on Wheels is in the Aruba Methodist Church Circuit account, which includes Meals on Wheels and Bus (the bus is used to deliver food. All funds are audited yearly, and accounts are updated every six months. Aruba Bank Account Nr. 2019966.
For any information on Meals on Wheels, please contact Valerie Connor at 297 5628322 or e-mail valerieconnor@setarnet.com.
The next Silent Auction and Food Extravaganza will be held on Saturday November 25, 2023, from 4:”30 to 8pm at Club Caiquetio. For more information please contact Edith Geerman at 297 5636855.
