By Joshua Huff, sports editor
BIRMINGHAM — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Meals on Wheels to deliver meals and other essential items to senior citizens in Jefferson County, in response to the elevated risk posed to the elderly from the coronavirus.
The partnership means that deputies will deliver meals to seniors within the Forestdale and Bessemer area. Seniors will also have the opportunity to submit requests for additional needs to each deputy during the meal drop-offs.
“I want our citizens to know that our roles as deputies, go beyond just keeping you safe.” Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway said. “I have challenged the men and women who serve within our office to come together and look for ways that we can do our part to help make this already tumultuous process less stressful; this partnership with Meals on Wheels is just one way that we will be doing that, and I’m eager to continue using our resources to help us move past this pandemic as a county, as a state, and as a country.”
Meals on Wheels, a non-profit organization, serves hundreds of senior citizens within Jefferson County. Currently, the organization is calling on younger people to volunteer to help prepare the meals as the risk to elderly volunteers continues to grow.
“During a time such as this, we are forever grateful for county partners such as JCSO, but we also want the public to know that this must be a community effort,” Karla Lawrence, Senior Vice President of Community Initiatives, said. “My hope is that as a community we can continue filling in the gap to ensure that our seniors don’t go without.”
To volunteer please visit: https://www.mowjeffco.org/volunteer/.