Be it in rain, snow or shine, they answer the call despite not being paid a dime for their efforts.

For those who volunteer with Meals on Wheels of Palmerton, recognition isn’t at the forefront of their minds.

However, what is at the top of their to-do list is providing delicious and nutritious options for people recuperating from surgery, managing chronic diseases or unable to cook for themselves.

Further proof of that was on full display recently when volunteer drivers Ted Brics, Susan Schwarz and David Snyder loaded up their vehicles with food to be delivered to clients’ homes.

About the organization

Meals on Wheels of Palmerton is funded by local businesses and loyal local individual supporters, according to Bill Gallagher, president of Meals on Wheels of Palmerton.

Major contributors to Meals on Wheels of Palmerton include Highmark Blue Cross, Bowmanstown Rod and Gun Club, Behler Foundation, Hommer Foundation, Horsehead Community Fund, Palmerton and the Bowmanstown-Parryville Lions Clubs, Palmerton VFW Post 7164, and Concourse Club.

Gallagher said the way it works is that Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley has an agent that contacts individuals who wish to have food delivered to them.

In turn, the clients are required to submit financial information, and that then determines how much the clients will pay.

Gallagher said most clients pay $6.50 per day for their meals. In turn, he said Meals on Wheels of Palmerton then picks up the difference from money that’s donated to them to satisfy the cost that Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley charges them.

At present, there isn’t as great of a need for volunteers as there had been in more recent times, according to Richard Bowman, coordinator of Meals on Wheels in Palmerton.

“There used to be when we had more clients; every once in a while I get one calling and inquiring, but for the most part we’ve had like 20 or 21 active volunteers,” Bowman said. “Right now, we have more like 16 or 17 active volunteers. Right now we only have like 12 clients.”

Bowman said he believes the low numbers are related to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The pandemic, I think it’s just a combination of everything,” he said. “People are a little hesitant to have someone from the outside come to their door, and that’s why we wear a mask when we come to the door.”

For the most part, Bowman said there haven’t been any issues with delivering during the pandemic.

From 1972 to Dec. 31, 2018, Palmerton Meals on Wheels got its food from the Palmerton Hospital kitchen.

As of June 8, meals are prepared by Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley and then delivered to Meals on Wheels of Palmerton.

Individuals who are currently not participating in the program in Palmerton and wish to join may call Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley at 610-691-1030 for further information.

Why they volunteer

Brics, who has volunteered with Meals on Wheels of Palmerton since 2011, said he enjoys helping others.

“It’s just something to do,” Brics said. “It helps out a lot of people.”

Brics, who lives in Forest Inn and is retired from PPL, said he tries to help those who are in need.

“I used to be a meter reader with PPL before I became an electrician, and it was neat to go around to the meters and I got to talk to some of the older people,” he said. “Same thing with Meals on Wheels, we’re the only people that someone (sometimes) gets to see.”

That’s the only way Brics knows how to be.

“When I was a kid, my friends and I used to help the elderly,” he said. “That’s the way I was brought up.”

Snyder, who began volunteering with the group in March, answered point blank why he joined.

“The need to help others,” Snyder said.

Schwarz, who is retired, said she joined the organization five years ago.

“I just like helping,” Schwarz said. “It’s very rewarding, and you get to meet with people.”

It’s that type of attitude that excites Gallagher.

“They just do this for the people of the community,” Gallagher said. “They expect nothing for it.”

Gallagher said at Christmastime, the board started giving out small tokens of their appreciation.

“The drivers didn’t want any type of compensation,” he said. “They don’t want any credit; all they want to do is help their fellow man.”

And for that, Gallagher said, he’s most especially grateful.

“They’re my heroes,” he said. “They do everything that has to be done to help these people.”