CSI: MEALS ON WHEELS

CABM.NET info@cabm.net

The Volunteer Food Services Central Office is a program

of the Volunteer Bureau of Montreal

summer

2013

Contents

Shining the Spotlight on a Dedicated Volunteer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 2A Word from Marjorie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 3It ain’t over ‘til its over . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 4Résolidaire Meals on Wheels client feedback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 5The VBM beyond the Atlantic Ocean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6Welcome Kasia! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6Day to Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7Does Meals on Wheels Exist in Singapore? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8Important reminder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9Visit to Château Ramezay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9The joy of volunteering! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10Why Santropol? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 11Meals on Wheels with an Italian accent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 12

War on germs: FREE sanitation course

Food for Thought | 2 | Summer 2013

Cover: Nancy and Marjorie inspecting the VBM kitchen .

Photo credits: Ziad Bitar*: p . 7, p . 9 Elisabeth Daoust*: p . 12 Josiane Noiseux*: p . 2 Jean-Eudes Schürr*: p . 3 Singapore YMCA: p . 8

Food for Thought is published by the Volunteer Food Services Central Office for Meals on Wheels and Lunch Club volunteers .

Volunteer Food Services Central Office

2015 Drummond St ., Suite 300 Montreal, Quebec H3G 1W7 Telephone: 514 .842 .3351 Fax: 514 .842 .8977

www .cabm .net info@cabm .net

Layout: Axel Pérez de León*

Coordination: Ludivine Willo

Collaborators: Jeff Boman*, Natali Delarue, Nancy Dumais, Denis Durocher*, Hon . Marisa Ferretti Barth, Ms . Lapointe*, Ms . Loignon*, Marjorie Northrup, Kasia Séguier and Ludivine Willo .

Translators: Paul Barrette*, Alicja Buffa*, Alison Stevens, Linda Tétreault* and Elinor Trepan* .

* Volunteers

The VBM is proud to announce that Food for Thought is printed on 100% recycled paper

Shining the Spotlight on a Dedicated Volunteer

By Ludivine Willo

intern at the VBM

stage@cabm.net

At 96 years of age, Régina Lapointe is an inspiration in the world of volunteering . For 55 years, she has contributed to various volunteering activities, even more since she retired . In Cowansville, where she currently lives, she’s a well-known figure amongst the residents thanks to the six hours she still devotes to the Meals on Wheels group every week . Although she is a volunteer today, she was the founder of the organization and the President for many years .

What’s her secret? Her motiva-tion and her enthusiasm for helping others . It’s also no surprise that she

won a prize in the “Gens de cœur – homage aux bénévoles” contest in March . This contest urged people to nominate remarkable volun-teers from across Québec and a jury selected ten finalists, including Mrs . Lapointe . Each received $1000 to donate to the organization of their choice . The public was invited

to choose an overall winner, who would be awarded $20,000 for the same purpose . The jury was won over by Mrs . Lapointe’s obvious and long-standing dedication as a volunteer .  n

Mrs. Lapointe, aged 96, active volunteer at the Cowansville Meals on Wheels.

Food for Thought | 3 | Summer 2013

A Word from Marjorie

By marjorie Nothrup

coordinatrice des services alimentaires bénévoles

mnorthrup@cabm.net

Hello, everyone! I enjoy keeping in touch with you through this newsletter, and I hope you find some ‘food for thought’ when reading it!

We are very busy at the Central Office : Nancy and I are enjoying working with Ludivine, our intern from the University of Bordeaux, and all our great in-house volun-teers . We are constantly on the lookout for new ways to improve volunteer recruitment and man-agement – I had applied for a

provincial grant, which unfortu-nately, was not forthcoming, but plan to try again through the fed-eral New Horizons for seniors pro-gram . We have to keep adapting our way of doing things, adding new practices while keeping what still works well . I urge you once again to take advantage of our FREE sanitation chat – it’s an hour well spent and helps keep us on track to ensure that our food is really safe as well as tasty .

This is a CRUCIAL time for Meals on Wheels – the new ‘Assurance-autonomie’ program is meant to provide our clients with money to purchase at-home services in order to ensure that they can remain in their homes as long as

they so desire, which is a laudable endeavour . However, we need to know more about the details and fine print about HOW this will happen – a “Livre blanc” from the Ministry of Health and Social Ser-vices will appear soon explaining all this . We have to react quickly during the consultation period to assure that we can respond quickly to protect our clients . We will keep you posted, meanwhile if you have time, go to the go the government website to check out the existing details on the program, and please let me know what you think!

Have a GREAT summer, and I hope to see you all soon!  n

Smiles are a key ingredient as Ascension MOW.

Food for Thought | 4 | Summer 2013

It ain’t over ‘til its over

By Anne Lassance Kiss

New Hope Volunteer

I believe this bit of home-spun wisdom was expressed by Yogi Berra . He was the skillful and beloved pitcher for the New York Yankees’ baseball team . The game isn’t over until the last out . The game keeps happening right up to the end and so do our lives .

After the last child has left the nest and/or other significant occur-rences, eventually comes retirement, where life goes on and new possi-bilities present themselves . Sen-iors have acquired years of experi-ence and applied skills when dealing with the crises encountered in the various stages of life . So we can do

the same as we are swept into old age – apprehensively, grousing, or with gusto . Fortunately with most of us “gusto” wins out . Life is too interesting, friends and/or family still need us as we need them . But now we have time to pursue old inter-ests and get involved with new ones .

I have found as a senior here in Montreal that we are treated very well . Community agencies like the CLSC/CSSS, senior centres like New Hope, adapted transport, and edu-cational classes for seniors provide opportunities on many fronts . Vol-unteers make most of these pro-grams possible . Many seniors have been volunteers most of their lives . Others now find that they have time to volunteer and gain great

satisfaction and enjoyment from doing so .

At New Hope Senior Citizens’ Centre many of the members are also volunteers . For example, Audrey is a volunteer driver . How-ever she is also artistically gifted and conducts art classes at New Hope . She also participates in a community art group where she shows, and sometimes sells, her paintings . Audrey is also a quilter and has brought her quilting skills to a group at New Hope . She is also a member of community group of quilters where she has helped to organize quilt shows and displayed her own quilts . Audrey loves to play bridge and is teaching a group at New Hope . She currently serves on

Anne Lassance Kiss, a volunteer with a big smile.

Food for Thought | 5 | Summer 2013

the Board of Directors at New Hope and edits and publishes the annual newsletter “New Hope Newzzz .”

Eileen helps to welcome new-comers to New Hope, providing gentle support . She assists in pre-paring the luncheon tables and ensures that glasses and water are available . She also assists in set-ting up the boutique and taking care of sales . She is always avail-able for assistance and informa-tion . Eileen is also very active in her church’s outreach program, vis-iting shut-ins in their homes and/or hospital .

Anne’s career was in nursing and nursing education . Since retiring she has been active in school com-mittees and maternal and child health advocacy . She co-founded the Centre for Reproductive Loss and co-authored “Grieving Repro-ductive Loss .” At New Hope she advises when asked about health issues and suggests referrals when indicated . She also says grace at New Hope lunches and provides simple memorial services for deceased members when asked . Ann also leads a discussion group at New Hope and contributes articles

where the main theme is “seniors” to the annual newsletter .

Most seniors that we know lead busy lives and are content . We write letters to politicians and busi-ness moguls just to let them know we are keeping an eye on them and to point out abuses . We bask in the joy of knowing children – grand-children, nieces, nephews or those of our friends . Dylan Thomas urged his father “Do not go gentle into that good night .” I hope we will go out with a smile, having lived a full and productive life here, and looking forward to the hereafter .  n

résolidaire meals on Wheels client feedback

ms. LoignonI’ve known about Résolidaire for 15 years . I was transferred there from the Plateau Mont-Royal, where I was already receiving Meals on Wheels . Louise Ducharme from the CLSC put me in touch with Résolidaire .

I live alone and find it difficult to get 3 meals a day . On Fridays, Résolidaire also sends me 5 frozen meals, and my son buys me ready-made meals if I need them . Once in a while, I cook a good steak if I am able .

ms. LapointeI became a client of Résolidaire 15 years ago when I came to play Bingo with my best friend Lucille 15 . I participated in various activities: bean bag toss tourna-ments, sugaring-off parties and Christmas celebrations, all of which I remember fondly . My hap-piest memories of Résolidaire are the warm welcome and the fun environment .

I knew about Meals on Wheels because I was a volunteer myself . Afterwards, the service was offered to me, and I agreed to take it so that I would be sure to have a good home-cooked meal .

Today, Meals on Wheels is a com-fort to me when I don’t feel so well . I have to undergo dialysis 3 nights a week, so the meal that I get from Meals on Wheels lets me rest and enables me to feel safe and secure . I go out to run my errands, prepare something to eat and go to the shopping centre once a week . Due to the state of my health, I don’t go out much . Résolidaire gives me a sense of security; I can call upon them at any time because I am sure that, at Résolidaire, I will find an atten-tive ear and a resource who will respond to my immediate needs .

Food for Thought | 6 | Summer 2013

By Ludivine Willo

intern at the VBM

stage@cabm.net

It’s with great enthusiasm that I joined the VBM team on April 2 . As part of my studies in communications at the University of Bordeaux, I needed to complete a 4-month internship . When talking with last year’s graduating class, I met Amanda Cousy . If her name sounds familiar, it’s because she was also an intern at the VBM last year, and she couldn’t stop singing the Bureau’s praises .

Curious and intrigued, I looked for more information about this

organization . After a phone inter-view with Marjorie, I decided to take the plunge and head to Canada . Upon my arrival, I met a motivated team dedicated to helping me live a unique experience . They have invited me to explore all of the ser-vices and have given me an idea of the kind of work they do .

If there’s one thing I learned quickly, it’s the great value of vol-unteering in this country . I also discovered through this dynamic team that being a volunteer isn’t just about giving, but also about receiving . I found this out when I helped the Carrefour de Saint-Eusèbe with its Meals on Wheels program for the first time . We

delivered 30 meals that day to people who were eager to open their doors and talk to us . It was a very pleasant morning, thanks to the warm welcome from the people who received the meals and the friendship and kindness of Mariette, who guided me throughout the deliveries .

I’d also like to take this oppor-tunity to thank the members of the VBM team for welcoming me so cordially .  n

The VBM beyond the Atlantic Ocean

Welcome Kasia!By Kasia séguier

Administrative Support VBM -VFS

soutien@cabm.net

A Montrealer for the last four years, I joined the VBM – VFS as an Administrative Support in April of this year and I already feel like an old hand .

Welcomed by a great team of employees and volunteers, I want to thank all of you for your help and input . Special thanks to Natali, who is off to Singapour for a year, for her patience and know-how . As part of my training, I especially

enjoyed my day with the Rameaux d’olivier Meals on Wheels, deliv-ering a hot meal to seniors with limited mobility . In the company of André, a long time volunteer, I discovered an area of Montreal new to me . André knows his neighbour-hood very well, but even more, he knows his clients and takes excel-lent care of them . He is very gen-erous with his time and resources . Thank you André for an enjoyable and enlightening day .  n

Food for Thought | 7 | Summer 2013

By Nancy Dumais

liaison officer Volunteer Food Services, VBM

liaison-sab@cabm.net

Were you to ask me what is the favourite part of my work, I would answer, without hesitation, the telephone contact I have with clients . Some of you might think that these calls are the same day after day, but the opposite is true . As you know, in Meals on Wheels, we do the same things every day, but each brings something different . For this edi-tion of the newsletter, I thought I would share with you just two of the calls I’ve received since I began my work here .

The first concerns someone I’ll call Mrs . A . The volunteers who deliver Meals on Wheels to Mrs . A must call her on the telephone intercom for her to open the door to her building . She is concerned that her telephone does not always work as it should . She calls me fre-quently, worried that the volun-teers were not able to reach her and would leave without delivering her meal . Each time, I listen patiently and mention that it is not yet the time when she usually receives her delivery . Our calls often end when her second line signals that, indeed, her meal is arriving . No, I’m not annoyed; in fact I hang up with a

smile on my face, happy that I was able to reassure her .

Last fall, I received a call from a lady we’ll call Mrs . B, for whom I had had a referral from a CLSC, because she was waiting for knee replacement surgery . She was exceedingly worried about the operation because she had heard so many horror stories . I was able to reassure her by telling her that my mother had the same operation a few years ago . The surgery went well, she made a good recovery and she was soon able to walk without assistance . Some three months after

that conversation, Mrs . B . called me, after a major effort on her part to find my number, which she had misplaced, to thank me for my encouragement . Her surgery went well and she was so grateful for my support . I thanked her for her call, offered best wishes for the future and hung up with a huge lump in my throat .

I could tell dozens of such stories, which is why I’m convinced that the work we do has immediate and positive repercussions for people in need . We touch their lives and they add so much to ours .  n

Day to Day

Another day, another delivery.

Food for Thought | 8 | Summer 2013

Does Meals on Wheels Exist in Singapore?

By Natali Delarue

administrative support for VBM-VFS

soutien@cabm.net

A family project that will take me away from Volunteer Food Services for a year has led me to research the existence of Meals on Wheels in Singapore . In the middle of summer, I will be traveling with my family to the famous city-state whose 5 million inhabitants live on an island about the size of the island of Montreal . . .

I discovered Meals on Wheels in Singapore on the YWCA’s website . It’s a program offered to people with dimished autononmy, much as it is here, but it’s also offered to children in poor families . It’s a free service for children who are referred to the program by schools and for the elderly who are referred by seniors’ centers . In their cen-tral kitchen, the YWCA prepares between 100 and 150 meals every day, which are home delivered while they’re hot .

Started in 1997, this project depends on the generosity of

donors and the desire of its vol-unteers to make a difference in the lives of these vulnerable people .

The goal of the program is to expand its delivery service to cover the entire island and for their “Hungry No More” slogan to become a reality .

I’ll make sure to keep you updated throughout my year in Asia . Of course, I intend to give my time to this cause that is so dear to my heart, and I’ll try to send a few photos to share my experience with you…  n

On every continent, MOW means service with a smile!

Food for Thought | 9 | Summer 2013

Important reminder

By marjorie Northrup

Coordinator, Volunteer Food Services, VBM

mnorthrup@cabm.net

The meals we prepare are destined to a very fra-gile clientele; it is incumbent on us, therefore, to be very vigilant as to the safety and cleanliness of the kitchen, and, by extension, of those who work there . Even if some of you have taken the 2-day program offered by l’Institut de l’hôtellerie, it is wise to remind ALL THOSE who work in the kitchen of certain basic principles . On this topic, I can now visit your group to give this short training module to all workers and volunteers

involved in food preparation and delivery .

Presented humourously, and in an interactive fashion, the module helps to make sure that the meals you prepare are safe and free of contamination . The groups who

have already taken this training appreciated the fact that they were able to learn together in a friendly atmosphere, and seemed eager to put their new techniques into practice! Please call me if you are interested .  n

Free one hour training on food sanitation

There is no fooling around when it comes to cleanliness at Brossard Meals on Wheels.

Visit to Château ramezayBy Ludivine Willo

intern at the VBM

stage@cabm.net

On Friday, April 19, volunteers met at Château Ramezay to celebrate National Vol-unteer Week . The VBM wanted to thank the members of various Meals on Wheels programs by giving them the opportunity to visit the Château . Forty-five volun-teers attended, either to discover

the site for the first time or to revisit it . Divided into several groups (French – and English-speaking), they enjoyed a tour of many of the Château’s rooms . The guides, dressed in costume and vol-unteers themselves, shared their knowledge while entertaining the guests . Thank you to everyone who attended!  n

A volunteer guide in period costume.

Food for Thought | 10 | Summer 2013

The joy of volunteering!

by Denis Durocher

Volunteer at C.A.D.R.E.-Échange de services de LaSalle

When you deliver Meals on Wheels for years, it’s possible that sometimes deliv-ering these meals becomes rou-tine . You prepare lists, routes and menus; you get groceries; you arrange drivers and runners; you distribute meals and already start to plan next week’s menu . Why is there so much involved? Do these meals really help our clients? Some brief comments show us that Meals on Wheels is beneficial .

“I am sick, afraid of falling and no longer have the strength to prepare my meals,” Mrs . Comtois told us .

“Could you take off the plastic wrap on the plates because my hands hurt so much; I have no more strength and cannot even lift my dish . I have to have an operation soon,” Mrs . Brunet told us .

“With an arm in a cast, I have a lot of problems serving myself using my left hand, and I cannot even cut my food or prepare my meals,” Mrs . Anctil told us .

Other people suffer from memory loss and are eating bread and jam when we bring the meal, and they

tell us that they have enough food to manage on their own .

Wheelchair, cancer treatment, problems with memory, difficulty getting around, risk of falling, lack of energy, physical and mental problems, loneliness, boredom, lack of motivation… This is what we see when we deliver our meals . For us, it is gratifying to know that we can provide a little help with our meals, and that encourages us to continue .  n

Denis’ generosity is also expressed in his smile.

Introduction by Nancy DumaisLiaison Officer, Volunteer Food Services

The following article was written by Denis Durocher, who has been a long-time Meals on Wheels volunteer at C.A.D.R.E.-Échange de services de LaSalle. Denis volunteers 5 days a week, and he freely gives his time. He coordinates the smooth running of Meals on Wheels services, delivers meals, handles transportation, provides medical support, participates in some activities organized for seniors, etc. Denis is always available; he is one of those volunteers that every organization dreams of having! We would like to thank him warmly for his generosity, devotion, contagious good mood and his incomparable sense of humour.

Food for Thought | 11 | Summer 2013

Why Santropol?

By Jeff Boman

Meals on Wheels’s client

March 23rd of this year will mark 17 years since my diagnosis of MS . Before that, I was a singer, dancer and a cartoonist . I can do none of those things now, but I was a writer for longer . All of these are forms of communication, and writing can be a two-way one; the others not . It’s not the end of the world .

I don’t sit around feeling sorry for myself . As a result, I work part-time at a day centre, and still get published by several companies . This year I intend to self-publish on the Amazon Kindle platform too .

This article is neither meant as a pity party nor as chest-thumping however . The intention is to talk about my Meals on Wheels service of choice .

You may have heard the saying, “Give me the strength to accept what I can’t change .” Well, not being able to change my inability to cook for myself is one of those things . My right arm doesn’t work well, and I’d prefer to eat my supper, not dodge it as it flies around me!

It’s been about 15 years since I’ve used this service, and in that time I’ve tried a bunch of them . A few I changed because I got bored with their offerings, and

one closed when their lease ended (Chez mes Amis in NDG . I wilI always miss them) . One I passed on because they did no meal sub-stitutions . I don’t eat fish or pork, so I’d go hungry when they were served . Plus, that food would go to waste . Someone else could benefit from it instead .

The one that I’ve been with for most of those years is Santropol Roulant . They deliver suppers 5 days a week (I get 2 meals for the night before, so I’m always cov-ered), and they make a different meal every day . They do meal sub-stitutions too .

Every year they drop their least popular meals and try new ones . They already offer a different meal every day, so you won’t get bored . The meals also have a lot of vege-tables; I’ve been crazy about those since I was very young, so I’m not complaining!

They grow many of their vege-tables in their rooftop garden, and

they also have gardens at McGill University .

They also often have parties, as well as holiday events, like their annual Cabane à Sucre . I’ve been to most of them for many years, to the point that some of the staff are upset when I can’t attend . I’m practically a piece of furniture for them now!

Every year we (the clients) get a calendar from Santropol with the meal schedule of the year . Photos grace each month . I’ve appeared in several, and I was the basis for a character on the cover in 2006 .

Santropol Roulant has been my service of choice for many years, and the staff sees me as a big part of it as well . I will most likely stay with this one .  n

Santropol Roulant has been chosen by Jeff Boman as the best Meals on Wheels.

Food for Thought | 12 | Summer 2013

Meals on Wheels with an Italian accent25th Anniversary of the meals on Wheels Lunchtime express

By marco Coniglione

Communications agent, CRAIC

Since it was founded, the Conse i l Rég iona l des Personnes Âgées Italo-Canadiennes (CRAIC) has encompassed 83 Golden Age clubs and working committees . For over 38 years, we have contrib-uted to the well-being of seniors in the Montreal area, especially those in the Italian-speaking community .

The CRAIC currently has over 13,000 members, 75% of whom are Italian-speakers living in the Greater Montreal area .

Thanks to its team of volunteers, the organization has developed a wide range of services and activities,

most of which have spread to the entire Montreal community .

Since the beginning, we have started 30 programs and services with the goal of improving the quality of life for seniors, contrib-uting to their physical and intel-lectual independence and meeting their needs .

In this spirit, the CRAIC is proud to announce the 25th anniversary of its Meals on Wheels service, better known as the Lunchtime Express . Founded by Senator Marisa Fer-retti Barth in 1988, this service offers subscribers full traditional Italian meals every week, thanks to the exceptional work of its volunteers .

Every Friday, from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM, a team of CRAIC volun-teers delivers to seniors with dimin-ished autonomy a tray containing a plate of pasta, a main dish with a side of vegetables, a bread roll, a slice of cake, and a fruit . Traditional meals are delivered for Christmas and Easter .

The CRAIC would like to thank everyone who contributed in the past 25 years and supported this service by allowing us to meet the needs of our seniors .  n

Hon. Marisa Ferretti Barth on visit to the Consul General of Italy Francesco Paolo Venier.