Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland is proud to be part of Maryland’s emergency response community feeding team. We are exercising every precaution to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on the vulnerable seniors we serve and to ensure the safety of our employees and volunteers. Watch the latest on what it takes to serve >>
Let me take a moment to say thank you for all you, your staff, and volunteers are doing during this difficult time! Your ongoing commitment to the older adults in the Central Maryland area has never been more evident.
T.H., County Partner & Volunteer
To learn more about current services and our COVID-19 response:
- As of April 6, 2020, we have transitioned to a frozen meal delivery model.
- For the safety and comfort of our participants, and that of our volunteers and staff we have suspended all in-home services. Companion visitors will now conduct their engagements by phone, grocery shoppers will review grocery lists by phone and deliver groceries but not remain for a visit.
- Similarly, case managers and care coordinators will continue to conduct business over the phone and will make every effort to continue to work on behalf of our participants to ensure they have what they need.
Volunteers will report to sites as scheduled and are reminded to be vigilant about using recommended practices for preventing the community spread. Meals are picked up by volunteers at our distribution sites at curbside in order to comply with the recommended space for social distancing.
All volunteers undergo the CDC recommended health screening 24 hours prior to the initiation of service.
To maintain recommendations for social distancing, the new frozen meal delivery schedule is designed to limit volunteers to one site. In addition, meal packing volunteers are restricted to groups of four or less.
An “essential service” letter will be distributed to all volunteers scheduled for upcoming shifts.
Volunteers must remain home if home if they are experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath) and notify us prior to their volunteer engagement if they have traveled to a high-risk area or have been around someone who has within 14 days of their volunteer engagement.
In accordance with CDC guidelines, volunteers will not be permitted to return to service until at least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) and at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared. Self-quarantine for 14 days post suspected or known exposure without exhibiting any symptoms.
All volunteer orientations will now be held weekly as online webinars until further notice. Sign-up here.
Temporary volunteers are needed to help in the kitchen with meal packing and to assist with deliveries. Sign-up here.
Our office has made available commercial grade sanitizing wipes, hand sanitizers, and gloves. We have limited large gatherings and conduct all meetings remotely. All employees who are able to work remotely due to the nature of their job, have been identified and set up to work from home.
Employees have been instructed on proper hand-washing and are required to abide by the CDC recommended isolation protocol as listed above under ‘Volunteer Safety Precautions’.
In addition, employees who are required to be on site to execute their jobs and who use public transportation to travel to and from work have been issued an letter from Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, Inc. identifying them as essential service employees.
- All visitors and new volunteers are required to complete the CDC recommended health screening 24 hours prior to the initiation of service. Anyone who answers yes to any of the following questions will not be permitted to enter or begin volunteer service at this time:
- Have you traveled to a Level 2 or 3 Travel Advisory Country within the last 21 days?
- Have you knowingly had contact with a traveler who visited Level 2 or 3 Travel Advisory Countries within the last 21 days?
- Have you knowingly had contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or is experiencing fever, cough or shortness of breath?
- Are you showing any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath?
- Is someone in your home showing any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath?