Elk City Meals on Wheels began in the kitchen of one of its founders in 1987. Mary Kelly saw the need to provide one hot meal per day to those who could not prepare one for themselves and could not go outside their home for one. The program garnered the support of the entire community and continued serving only the homebound until 1989 when the Elk City Housing Authority approached the directors and offered to partner with them, continuing to provide meals for the homebound, but also adding a dining room where a congregate meal could be served to those who chose to dine there.
Since that time the program had undergone more changes. The original kitchen and dining room in the housing authority building have been remodeled more than once and will soon be remodeled again to replace cabinets. The partnership with the housing authority has provided Meals on Wheels with the necessary space and equipment to better serve the elderly and handicapped of the community. All building renovations and some equipment have been made possible through federal modernization grants that the housing authority receives.
With the support of the entire community the Elk City Meals on Wheels program operates without federal or state funding. The major contributor to the program is the thrift shop owned and operated by the United Methodist Church of Elk City and run mostly by volunteers. Other funding comes from revenue generated by meal sales, other donations, and memorials.
The program operates smoothly with only four paid staff members. However, in addition to the paid staff, the meal program is fortunate to have the cooperation of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, providing three to four workers each day. These men assist with the heavy lifting, mopping, dishwashing, etc.
Elk City is unique in that the trade area is not limited to the confines of the city limits. People from all over western Oklahoma participate in the Elk City Meals on Wheels program. Regular visitors come from Clinton, Canute, Sayre, and other outlying communities. People come for the fellowship, the food, and occasional entertainment provided by our very own State Representative, Purcy D. Walker and a group of musicians singing gospel music.
Continued support for the meal program is almost guaranteed. Volunteers include civic organizations, churches, businesses, coffee groups, home schooled groups, and individuals. The next generation of volunteers is already being developed as children and teens get into the spirit by accompanying adults on the meal routes. With this kind of foundation, the Elk City Meals on Wheels will continue to thrive.
