OLYMPIA, Wash. — Every Wednesday Christie Wallace delivers meals to home-bound seniors as part of the Meals on Wheels program in Thurston County.
But during a heat wave, Wallace can also serve as a lifeline.
“Sometimes you can tell if they’re not doing well,” said Wallace.
To participate in the program, clients must be older than 60 and unable to drive or cook for themselves.
When extreme weather hits, those folks can need more than a meal, said Wallace.
“It is hard. I feel bad for them, that they’re lonely,” said Wallace, who has volunteered for the program for eight years and has found clients who need medical attention.
Temperature records have been broken multiple days in a row in the midst of a heat wave that has settled over western Washington.
Olympia cracked the triple digits on Tuesday, registering a high temperature of 100 degrees. The previous high temperature record of 95 was set back in 1985.
“We follow up if they don’t come to the door when I expect them to,” said Wallace. “We can ask for a welfare visit.”
Her payment? Gratitude from her clients.
“I would consider her an angel, I definitely would,” said Rose Iverson.
Iverson, who is proud to say she’s 87, lives alone. Arthritis keeps her from leaving the home. Iverson said she would not be alive if it weren’t for the weekly visits, and conversations, with Wallace.
“I would say a lifesaver,” said Iverson. “It means a lot to me to have her.”
Recipients are asked to pay about $5 for the weekly meal deliveries, but the program, sponsored by Senior Services for South Sound, offers reduced rates for low-income clients.