PORTALES, NM – May 10, 2023 – In April of 2023, Portales Meals on Wheels (MOW) found it needed a new provider for the meals it supplies for area residents needing food assistance. Luckily, Roosevelt General Hospital (RGH) was able to meet that challenge.

After MOW board member Brad Roberts presented the need to RGH management, the hospital enthusiastically accepted the challenge. Starting May 1, MOW volunteers now pick up meals at the RGH Cafe. There are still a few things to be ironed out, but the hospital and MOW are excited about the arrangement.

Michael Villanueva, dietary manager at RGH, already works hard to provide nutritious and healthy meals to patients and guests of the hospital. Adding MOW to the list was a challenge he and the staff were able to meet.

 

“As part of our Dietary Department goals, the Meals on Wheels program fits perfectly,” Villanueva said. “We are excited to be able to offer meals for those who are a part of the program. It’s a win-win situation for us; we serve the community, and they receive a meal.”

There are still concerns, as the floor space in the RGH Cafe is not large, and MOW requires a good amount of space to stage its volunteer meal pickup. RGH Cafe is also a working restaurant and popular lunch destination, with customers vying for dining space when the MOW volunteers arrive.

But these are issues all are prepared to work through to provide high-quality food and assistance to those that need it the most.

“In our strategic plans for RGH, we have a section dedicated to community service, and Meals on Wheels is right in line with that goal. We are delighted to partner with Meals on Wheels,” said Jeannette Orrantia, director of marketing and public relations at RGH. “I was delighted our administration was on board with the idea of RGH providing meals to those in our community who need it most. Roosevelt General Hospital has always served in some capacity with the Meals on Wheels program, but this was our opportunity to do even more.”

“The partnership from RGH is an answer to our prayers,” said Quaylene Parkey, MOW board member. “We will be able to continue to provide meals to the most vulnerable citizens in our community, and upgrade the quality of the service and our meals. Words can’t express how much their stepping up in service at this time means to us as an organization and to our community!”

Contact Cora Stroud – home phone 575-359-1483 or 575-760-9680 to volunteer with Meals on Wheels. Meal delivery begins every weekday at 11:30 A.M. and each volunteer generally delivers meals to three or four addresses. There is no meal delivery on weekends.

 

Meals on Wheels delivers a hot and fresh meal to those who are homebound and/or in need of assistance with meals. The service is manned totally by a volunteer staff of board members and community civic/business members who give their time delivering meals to the home of our clients.

The meals are very affordable and in some cases we have sponsors for those who need a little extra help with the cost. If you or someone you know is in need of our services – call Bette Kimbell 575-356-3166 or 575-760-7157

Meals on Wheels Board of Directors

Bette Kimbell – Brad Roberts – Charles Brooks – Chris Christensen – Cora Stroud – Denise Burnett

Todd Fuqua – Beverly Howard – Glenn McCoy – Larry Teal – Quaylene Parkey

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