By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
A special group of volunteers has been an energizing influence in Yukon by delivery meals to homebound elderly, disabled and convalescing residents.
Yukon Mobile Meals is a volunteer-driven program that provides nutritious meals to Yukon residents unable to prepare their own food.
The program – established in 1975 – has received a huge boost from OG&E (Oklahoma Gas & Electric) employees, who deliver “route C” on Thursdays each week.
“They have stepped up to volunteer as drivers,” Yukon Mobile Meals’ director Joanne Oltmanns said. “They have a team of eight volunteers and send two drivers at a time. All our meal recipients have enjoyed it.”
It takes about an hour to finish the delivery route, which totals about 16 miles.
Mobile Meals’ recipient Thomas Bomhoff was grateful for his hot meal – and a box of Girl Scout cookies as a special treat – during a recent delivery by OG&E volunteers John Koons and Madi Berryhill.
“I want to thank OG&E for caring and giving us this service, as well as the benefits,” Bomhoff said.
Yukon Mobile Meals’ volunteers deliver lunch meals to recipients’ homes between 10:45 a.m. and noon Monday through Friday (except holidays).
Some 115 Yukon residents regularly receive the hot meals.
The program’s volunteers extend care by serving as a regular “check-in” with each meal recipient. This helps Mobile Meals’ clients sustain independence and enhances their quality of life.
OG&E has partnered with Yukon Mobile Meals for about one year, according to OG&E Senior Manager of Brand & Marketing Kirby Nickolas.
“We got involved after seeing a need to help customers in our service area, specifically homebound seniors,” Nickolas said. “Since 2021, OG&E has provided 450 nutritious meals through Yukon Mobile Meals to support some of our most vulnerable neighbors.
“OG&E is committed to strengthening the communities and individuals it serves, and we are grateful to have many dedicated employees who are passionate about volunteering their time to help others.”
OG&E employees served or delivered more than 1,500 meals to senior living community residents and homebound seniors in the greater Oklahoma City metro this past summer.
OG&E recently purchased 2,000 boxes of Girl Scout cookies from the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma and donated 120 boxes to Yukon Mobile Meals in August. Each recipient got a special treat with their meal delivery courtesy of the partnership between OG&E, Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma and Yukon Mobile Meals.
‘ALWAYS LOOKING FOR DRIVERS’
Yukon Mobile Meals is a non-profit 501C3 agency that relies heavily on volunteers.
Volunteers help cook, delivery meals, bake, and sponsor someone’s meals.
“We appreciate any time someone can give,” Oltmanns said. “I’m always looking for drivers, so it was great when John (Koons) called and said he was looking at this program.”
Only paid staff members are the part-time director and part-time cook.
Suggested donation is $2 per meal. However, those who cannot pay will not be denied.
Donations are accepted through Pay Pal on Mobile Meals’ website. Applications also may be made through the site.
Since 1997, the Mobile Meals’ program has been housed inside the City of Yukon’s Dale Robertson Center at 1200 Lakeshore.
Since Yukon Mobile Meals is not a federally funded program, there are no age restrictions. The meal delivery service is available to people in Yukon city limits.
The menu is a general diet low in fat and sodium.
For more information, call 350-5900 or visit www.yukonmobilemeals.com
