MADA Introduces "Meals à Partager" - Delivery of Prepared Meals to Most Isolated Members of Community
New program addresses challenges of Covid-19 crisis - and larger issues of poverty and limited mobility - by offering food, hope and dignity to the most vulnerable
MONTREAL, April 29, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- MADA, a non-profit community center with a mission to care for people in need by providing basic necessities, today announced the launch of "Meals à Partager", a new program to deliver prepared kosher meals to the most isolated members of the community.
"Meals à Partager" offers three prepared/pre-cooked meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), per person, per day. Deliveries are made twice weekly. All meals are planned with nutritional requirements in mind and based on ease of preparation. For example, many meals are pre-packed in aluminium dishes for easy reheating in the oven. In its first week, the program served about 800 people. That number is expected to double and may go higher in response to demand. Meals are delivered by car, driven by volunteers, directly to clients' doors. Recipients must be 65 years of age or older, in self-isolation and/or suffering from pre-existing medical conditions.
This program is being launched in response to the Covid-19 pandemic but will be permanent and is intended to address larger issues that predate the current crisis: Many seniors lack the resources to feed themselves, some wrestle with medical challenges and limited mobility, and others suffer from the mental health risks associated with isolation.
"The Covid-19 crisis has been difficult for everyone but particularly hard on the elderly who often live alone and are now being told to stay home," says Rabbi Chaim Cohen, Executive Director, MADA. "We are launching this program in response to feedback from the community. People need the safety and convenience of home deliveries. Plus, prepared meals must be quick and easy to reheat. Our mission of feeding people in need has not changed. But, we have adjusted how we do it."
"Our success rests on the support of the community. We need volunteers and donors. There are many ways to contribute. For example, we have volunteers who may not make deliveries because they are self-isolating but continue to reach out to clients by telephone. We know from experience that the client/volunteer relationship is mutually-rewarding. That may be truer now than ever before," adds Rabbi Cohen.
"While MADA delivers food, we are also committed to ensuring that everyone in our community is able to live with dignity. We are all part of the same family. Clients, volunteers and donors – everyone is important. Many must self-isolate but they should not be made to feel lonely. By delivering prepared meals we want to give people hope and help them maintain their dignity. Our message is: While you may be isolated because of this virus, you have not been forgotten by your community," concludes Rabbi Cohen.
Please note: MADA's Cafeteria remains open. All meals are served in individually-wrapped containers for "take-out" only.
About MADA
Founded in 1993, MADA is a volunteer-based organization that relies upon private donations from individuals and foundations. Based on the vision that protecting individual dignity is inseparable from the provision of care, we provide our patrons with social and crisis services free of charge and serve as a safe haven for those in need. MADA's mission is to help people with the basic necessities of life, while helping them to become self-sufficient. MADA's food bank feeds more than 4,500 people, on average, per month. Our cafeteria ends the loneliness and indignity of hunger in an uplifting environment. Friendly volunteers bring delicious meals directly to patrons' tables, restaurant style. MADA also delivers meals and friendly visits to elderly patrons with limited mobility. Rooted in Jewish tradition and founded on a vision of caring, MADA welcomes, supports and embraces all people, irrespective of religion, race or nationality. MADA is committed to treating all people with dignity. Feeding people is often the end result but the approach involves opening hearts, acting as an extended family and treating people with respect. For more information on these and other services, please visit http://www.madacenter.com.
Media Contact
Mark Lowe, PRagmatic Communications
mark.lowe(at)pragcom.com / (514) 576-2519
SOURCE MADA
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