Three years ago today: How the COVID-19 Pandemic has Impacted SOSMOW
Three years ago, lockdown was instated, and the COVID-19 pandemic began its deadly spread across the world, and it continues to cause issues in many aspects of our lives today. While vaccines, research and improved treatments have helped to mitigate the impact of the virus, the pandemic continues to affect the world, our organization, and our clients in various ways.
One of the biggest challenges SOSMOW faced was a significant increase in demand for its services. Prior to the pandemic and the recent inflation of daily living costs, SOSMOW served in the range of 380,000 meals to 1,900 people per fiscal year. In fiscal year 2020-2021, SOSMOW served 566,773 meals to 3,047 clients and in fiscal year 2021-2022, we served 550,954 meals to 2,725 clients. This range has become our “new normal”.
To meet this increased demand, SOSMOW relies on its volunteers and staff more than ever. Consequently, another challenge that SOSMOW faces is ensuring the safety of its staff, volunteers, and clients. With seniors at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19, we have new safety protocols, such as daily temperature checks, required masks, daily equipment sanitation, and completing our assessments via phone.
SOSMOW is strategizing for the long-term to serve a widely diverse and expanded caseload with higher rates of chronic health conditions, as compared to prior to COVID-19. Recently published healthcare articles suggest that there will be a rise in rates of chronic health conditions because of the pandemic. To that end, a subset of our clients may experience increased health issues because of either recovering from COVID-19 or coping with the stressors of it in everyday life such as isolation, barriers to a burdened healthcare system, increasing costs of living, and food insecurity.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of Meals on Wheels' services in supporting vulnerable populations in Alameda County. With many seniors and people with disabilities facing increased isolation and hunger, the organization's meals and social support have become a lifeline for many.
As we were all isolated, our drivers acted as the lens into our community by providing wellness checks and safe visits to our clients. Our volunteer and paid drivers are sometimes the only people our clients would see in a day or even week. Our drivers play a vital role in providing social support for isolated older adults with friendly safety checks and companionship.
If you or someone you know could benefit from Meals on Wheels, or if you would like to support our work, please visit our website sosmow.org or contact us today. Together, we can ensure that every senior in our community gets the nutrition, support, and care they deserve.
We pay tribute to all the people who have lost their lives, loved ones, and livelihoods due to the pandemic. Thank you to all our donors, staff, and over 500 volunteers who have helped us to serve 1,575,046 meals to 5,352 seniors over the past 3 years. Also, thank you to the elected officials that delivered meals in celebration of serving over 500,000 meals in fiscal year 2020-2021.