Heidi Fareri, who served as Monroe County Meals on Wheels director for the last seven years, has stepped down.

“I just felt it was time and I am still helping the new director, Alyssa get settled in,” she said.

When asked if she has any plans, Fareri said “I want to do more volunteering and free up some of my time.”

Fareri, who would start her work day at 4 a.m. as director of Monroe County Meals on Wheels, said although she loved it, she wants to help in other ways now.

New director

Alyssa Koeck, the new director, said she feels fortunate to be chosen for the position.

“We definitely have a great team of volunteers so there won’t be any changes, except we are planing several events for later in the year, so watch for them,” she said.

The organizations has many volunteers who have been with Meals on Wheels a long time and are willing to work with whoever is interested.

The program has 230 volunteers and though that seems a big number it does not factor in the bad weather at this time of year with volunteers not wanting to drive during inclement weather, according to Koeck.

Koeck wants people to know that it doesn’t have to be a full-time commitment.

“We have teachers that volunteer only in the summer months when they are off, we have businesses that allow their employees to volunteer to do on different days and retired volunteers that deliver,” Koeck said. “It can be as little as once a month. It really does make a difference in the lives of our clients and the lives of the volunteers. So many of the volunteers come back and develop a rapport with the people they see, every week or every month and we even have a mom and her three little kids that come out and help us out.”

Koeck said in addition to supplying meals to Monroe County residents who do not drive, Meals on Wheels has a hygiene pantry.

Koeck said the pantry’s hygiene needs are: Size L incontinence supplies, deodorant, dish soap. and bathroom and toilet bowl cleaner.

Meals on Wheels also has a pet program. Seniors on a fixed income often struggle to make ends meet and buying pet food for their furry companions is difficult and they often have to surrender their pet to a shelter, taking a way the only thing that kept the client from solitude.

If you would like to help seniors and their pets stay together you can donate dog food and cat food - dry or canned as long as it’s unexpired and unopened. Drop off items from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday though Friday at Monroe County Meals on Wheels, 901 Polk Valley Rd., Stroudsburg or shop on Chewy’s wish list online and have it delivered right to Meals on Wheels doorstep.

Anyone interested in volunteering can call Monroe County Meals on Wheels at 570-424-8794.