BELLE FOURCHE—For a long time in Belle Fourche, seniors were able to choose between two providers for their delivered meals. Meals on Wheels and Belle Silver Lining both provided delicious meals to those who requested them. The arrangement allowed the two organizations to share the workload while ensuring seniors who needed meals received them.
As of October 1, Belle Silver Lining took over all of the food delivery in Belle Fourche. They absorbed the Meals on Wheels program. “To my understanding, it was negotiated with three past board members that are no longer present, and we were told that it was all or none—we couldn’t go back to the original contract that we had in the past—we had to take on these extra meals by the state, so it’s official,” explained board president Marilyn Huston-Engle. “October 1 we started, Meals on Wheels is no longer delivering in Belle Fourche, it is not called Meals on Wheels now, it’s Belle Silver Lining Delivery.”
Although the current Belle Silver Lining board didn’t have much advance notice that this change would be happening, they stepped up to take care of seniors and ensure everyone continued receiving meals. “There is definitely more expense, I mean, we were delivering roughly between 25 and 30 meals and now we’re delivering between 50 and 60 meals,” shared Huston-Engle.
With the new undertaking comes an increased need for additional volunteers and employees at the senior center. They currently have two delivery people. “We’re going to have to probably hire another driver, probably find another vehicle, because the deliveries—with one person takes two and a half hours. So some people are getting their meal at 10 a.m. and others are getting it at 12:30 p.m., and we’d love to try to hit that 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. [delivery window],” said Huston-Engle. “But personally, I don’t want to get my lunch at 10 a.m. and that’s what we have to do in order to get them all out [each day].”
Belle Silver Lining does a lot of fundraisers to help offset the costs to provide meals. In addition to the delivery program, the senior center serves meals onsite as well. Revenue from the center’s thrift shop also helps support the meal program. “Almost all our fundraisers are to help with the meals, the kitchen is not self-supporting,” explained Huston-Engle. “We were cooking at least 70 to 80 meals. Now we’re going to be doing 100 or more.”
Everyone who received deliveries from Meals on Wheels has been contacted and informed about the changes in the program. “They were all sent a letter, and they were told to contact us, and if we had not heard from them, we still delivered a meal and made personal contact. There were a few houses we had a little trouble finding maybe the first couple of days, but we’ve got the route going pretty good now,” said Huston-Engle. “And the state did put in the letter that they sent to those individuals, that our suggested donation is $7, but nobody will not receive a meal if they cannot afford it—you pay what you can.”
The center does receive some funding from the state. “We get just a little over $4 reimbursement per meal, and the average cost is about $9,” explained Huston-Engle.
Beyond providing a nutritious meal, the delivery program offers an opportunity to check on seniors and enjoy some friendly conversation. “We have to knock on the door and try to get a signature—that’s kind of a welfare check. So we do a little conversation. And that would be another nice thing about the second driver and the second route, is that we would have time to visit with the individuals instead of being rushed,” shared Huston-Engle.
With this new responsibility comes new challenges, and Belle Silver Lining could use some help from the community. There are many ways to get involved. Huston-Engle shared that they are looking to hire another driver. They need volunteers to help with the daily operations. They are looking for another vehicle in running condition for the second route. They need more board members. And they need money.
Huston-Engle explained that although taking on all the additional deliveries wasn’t their choice, they decided to do it because they already had too much money invested in the kitchen to shut it down. Additionally, many people in the community depend on the meals.
She emphasized that Meals on Wheels no longer provides meal deliveries in Belle Fourche, and donations made to Meals on Wheels will not support Belle Silver Lining’s local delivery program. She encourages anyone wishing to support local seniors to direct their donations to Belle Silver Lining Senior Center instead.
Another way to support the Senior Center is to attend one of their upcoming fundraising events, including a Community Chili Feed on Friday, November 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Community Hall, with pictures with Santa beginning at 3 p.m.; a Craft Fair on Saturday, November 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Senior Center, 828 Kingsbury Street; and Bingo Night on Tuesday, December 1, at the Branding Iron in Belle Fourche, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and bingo beginning at 7 p.m.
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