The generosity of our local food industry knows no bounds

The sounds of laughter, live music and the sizzling of local restaurants’ best goodies have barely faded out at Ivy in Dewey Beach, and local food and drink professionals are stepping up to the plate yet again for this weekend’s seventh annual Jack O’Hollaren Wheels for Meals Bike Ride at Hudson Fields.

The W. E. Cross Charitable Foundation Inc. heads up the list of event sponsors. It is joined by Revelation Craft Brewery and Dogfish Head, along with Sussex Cyclists, Lewes Cycle Sports, 302 Bicycles, Seagreen Bicycles, Batson’s Catering, McQueen Classics, Hyett Refrigeration, Red Sun Custom Apparel, and 2nd Time Around band providing music for a fantastic post-ride party with prizes and lunches cooked on-site.

This fundraiser commemorates the late Jack O’Hollaren, who worked tirelessly to help make the event a reality. It features scenic bike rides through Delaware with the express purpose of helping our very own Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth feed our homebound seniors right here in Sussex County.

For 20 years (13 of them on this page), I’ve had the pleasure of writing about, talking about and helping to promote our best Cape Region restaurants, bars, breweries, distilleries and wineries. We have so many choices here in our little beach towns; in fact, many people still tell me that was a determining factor in their decision to move here. But there are others out there who don’t have the mobility or the resources to dine out. For many of our elderly citizens, breakfast, lunch and dinner can be a challenge when they can’t get to the grocery store or perhaps can’t even get out of their homes. Thank goodness we have our local Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth to help mitigate that burden for those less fortunate.

Founded in 1970, Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth holds the distinction of being the first home-delivered meal program in Delaware. The concept (but not the execution) is simple: Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth provides two meals a day, 365 days each year, to more than 350 homebound residents exclusively in the Lewes, Rehoboth and Harbeson areas.

The implementation of this service involves an intricate, daily ballet performed by office staff, cooks, packers and drivers, almost all of them volunteers! The process begins before dawn in the kitchens of Fish On restaurant in the Villages of Five Points. Well before the restaurant opens, Fish On bustles with drivers, cooks, packers and organizers. Several years ago, when the charity found itself without a food-preparation facility, SoDel Concepts founder Matt Haley stepped in to provide for the daily creation, cooking and packaging of the meals. Most of the 115+ drivers work two hours a week making a daily round trip of 25 to 40 miles over 16 different routes to deliver a hot meal, a greeting and a smile. The volunteers are the backbone of the effort.

Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth’s charter keeps our neighbors in their homes instead of relying on public or private assisted living. The service is entirely needs-based. Governing Board President John Wolfle tells me they have never had to refuse a meal to a qualified client because of a lack of money. It’s no secret that there are thousands of homes being built annually here in the Cape Region, so the growth of the charity’s needs depends on annual, high-visibility fundraisers, including Top Chef of the Culinary Coast, the Harry Derrickson Memorial Golf Tournament held each fall at Rehoboth Beach Country Club, and the Wheels for Meals bicycle ride. Smaller events and donations help fill in the gaps.

Numbers don't lie, and it’s apparent that the Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth program is a cost-effective alternative to institutionalization. The program has grown every year as retirees live longer. It's a sad fact that even a more-than-modest retirement account can be wiped out when illness comes to call. The most poignant element, at least for me, is that for many of the homebound seniors, the daily Meals on Wheels Lewes-Rehoboth delivery volunteer is their only connection to the outside world.

Feeling generous? You might still be able to register for Saturday’s bike ride (call 302-645-7449), but you can always help provide hot meals for those who can’t do it for themselves by going to mealsonwheels-lr.org/donate. A small donation can go a long way to help our homebound neighbors and friends right here in Sussex County.