With four sons and plenty of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and even great-great grandchildren, it’s no wonder that Ms. Annie’s favorite thing to do is spend time with family. Even so, 86-year-old Annie still enjoys living on her own and even occasionally preparing one of her favorite meals—chicken & rice—when she feels strong enough.
She moved to Mount Pleasant a little over 5 years ago. Though 3 of her sons live nearby in Summerville, Hanahan, and Awendaw, they knew that having food and visitors from Meals on Wheels would help her maintain some independence.
“I’m living by myself and getting older, and I use a walker because I have lymphedema in my right leg,” Ms. Annie shares.
She relies on help from her sons and a good friend when it comes to grocery shopping and getting to doctor’s appointments. She isn’t able to drive anymore because of the lymphedema. Her black and white cat, Oreo, lives with her son and daughter-in-law now because maintaining the litter box became a challenge.
Even so, Ms. Annie is still able to live independently and loves having the meals delivered each day—enough for lunch, dinner, and the weekends, too. More than the meals, she loves how the volunteers care for her in extra-special ways. Her Monday driver, Steve?, picked up tree limbs and raked the yard after Hurricane Dorian, and her Tuesday drivers, (names TBD), spend a little extra time visiting and always ask about her beloved Oreo.
Ms. Annie says, “Meals on Wheels is inspiring. They make me feel good about myself, and it’s something I look forward to every day.”
Meals on Wheels is…: Inspiring
Favorite food from Meals on Wheels: Fresh fruit and the spaghetti
Favorite color: Purple
Favorite Music: Country, especially Loretta Lynn and George Jones
East Cooper Meals on Wheels serves almost 300 recipients daily, who currently range in age from 35-98. Now through December 31, 2019, donations of $100 or more will be matched by several local partners, including:
- Carroll Limited Partnership up to $1,000 of Isle of Palms donations
- Feed The Need up to $10,000 of Mt. Pleasant donations
- Daniel Island Community Fund up to $5,000 of Daniel Island donations
- Edward and Sallie Pritchard up to $2,000 of Sullivan’s Island donations
During the holiday season, the organization works especially hard to ensure that no homebound neighbor is forgotten or hungry. East Cooper Meals on Wheels serves anyone who is homebound and cannot prepare a meal, including people of any age and any income level. Because the organization is 100% funded through community support, contributions ensure that the organization can continue its mission of delivering more than a meal to residents of Daniel Island, Mt. Pleasant, Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Cainhoy, and Wando. There is never a waiting list and never a charge for meals. Anyone can refer a friend, family member, neighbor, or themselves to begin receiving meals—call 843.881.9350, email rhamilton@ecmow.org, or visit www.ecmow.org.