Henry County Senior Services is maintaining its commitment to make sure older residents have all the food they need in these difficult times.

  Shawn Norris is the assistant director of Henry County Senior Services. He said the local Meals on Wheels Program continues to serve 265 meals a day for homebound seniors.

  “It hasn’t been affected too much by the pandemic, other than we have not been using our volunteers,” said Norris. “We were averaging about 200 volunteers a day before the pandemic, but we have opted not to utilize volunteers at this time.”

  Norris said Senior Services works throughout the year to ensure that older residents’ needs are met. The department is given a budget by the county, while also receiving funding from the Atlanta Regional Commission and a Community Service Block Grant.

  Norris said his department strives to meet the food needs of its seniors, and that the Meals on Wheels staff has been “motivated” in doing so during the pandemic.

  “When the pandemic started, we were providing them seven days of frozen meals,” he said. “Now, we are offering hot meals daily, five days a week.”

  He said sometimes he receives assistance from Henry County Transit as well as Parks and Recreation, in order to deliver meals for the program.

  “We also have our Title III participants who are receiving meals as well,” said Norris. “Our Title III participants are those who are taking advantage of programs at the senior centers to promote socialization.”

  Norris commended the staff at Senior Services, from drivers to food service staff, for their efforts in providing meals to seniors every day.

  For more information, call Senior Services Meals on Wheels volunteer coordinator Tammy Smith at 770-288-6988.