LEE'S SUMMIT, MO 64063-7222

MORE INFORMATION Hometown Solutions (Lees-Summit.com) has been working with One Good Meal to try and bring some exposure to the needs of One Good Meal. Below is an e-mail Roberta McArthur the founders daughter sent us after I asked for some background information about One Good Meal and the struggles they battle daily. Dear Dean, It is fantastic! Thank you so much for all the work you have done on our behalf. I enjoyed our deliveries today. It just amazes me that there aren't more people that can afford 1 1/2 hours a week to help with our deliveries. All three ladies you got to photograph have called out of excitement! Here goes the spiel!!!! It seems a little arrogant to tell people how wonderful our volunteers are and how great the people we serve our and the fantastic food that Hy-Vee East prepares for us, but the truth is there really isn't any other way to express what One Good Meal does. Ten years ago, my mother had the idea to serve the elderly and handicapped in Lee's Summit that did not fit the criteria of Meals on Wheels. We started with good intentions and 5 women. Currently we have over 155 people on our everyday list with an average of 108 meals served daily. Doctor appointments, a day out with family, all are things that cancel out a single day so the numbers are always different. Our mission statement clearly defines our job as serving the elderly and handicapped one meal five days a week regardless of income. The regardless of income has come back to bite us more than once. We decided to forego most of the government funding available for organizations like ours because the necessary controls restricted our menus and clients. So everyday that we unlock the door we go into debt in the neighborhood of $170, a real problem for us. The other serious need would be a shortage of drivers and bakers. Everyday I need at least 10 people daily and 50 for the week to deliver to all our clients. With the snowbirds out of town until spring I am frequently 15 drivers short for the week. When you rode with me today, you got a first hand look at the joys available. Our clients have a knack of making each driver feel very special. The second problem of drivers is ongoing baking for 140 people with 10 of those with no sugar is a daunting task. We have several days open and really need to stock the freezer for those oops days when the treats do not arrive. We can't reimburse our drivers with anything but appreciation and we do love each volunteer. If you can think of organizations that would hear our story please let me know I love to tell the story of One Good Meal and the wonderful lady who started it Betty McKnought. Thanks Roberta McArthur Doublemac1@kc.rr.com

OTHER PRODUCTS AND SERVICES One Good Meal One Good Meal is an organization dedicated to providing a hot meal to seniors, and to the handicapped, who cannot, or do not, prepare one for themselves--- Regardless of income. More than ten years ago, our founder Betty Mcknought, called on her ninety-three year old neighbor to attend a craft meeting. The neighbor said that she had fallen and injured her hip. While she had a therapist, and a visiting nurse, she had been unable to have meals delivered to her home. Meals on Wheels was working at full capacity, and though upset by the situation, they had to put her neighbor on a waiting list. This was NOT an isolated case. Three other ladies were soon brought to our attention. One was spending over $200.00 a month on medications, and sinking further into depression without the nutrients to allow her medications to work. The second lady was surviving on peanut butter, and ice cream. She could not understand the instructions for the microwave, or remember how to make the stove work. The third lady was going through eye surgery; and nerves, anxiety, fear, and depression had stolen what little appetite she had. We have discovered an unmet need in Lee's Summit. One Good Meal was created as an open invitation to anyone in need. Our immediate goal is to continue to deliver hot meals to our clients in their homes. Proper nutrition should never be denied. The body requires carbohydrates for energy, and proteins are vital for the repair of cell damage. Without essential vitamins and minerals daily, the body cannot sustain healthy cells and tissues. Once the cycle of poor nutrition sets in, a vicious downward spiral begins. Many may not recognize that the lethargy and depression are signs of this spiral. Consequently, the motivation to prepare and cook a healthy nutritious meal is lost. They then reach for anything that will stop the hunger pains. It is a fact that medication is far more effective with proper nutrition. We are facing an epidemic. More people are living longer. The amount of money they planned to live on is not enough. We all fear the senility and loneliness of advance age. All that can often be adverted by proper nutrition, and a lunchtime visit from a smiling face. The mission of One good Meal is to fill this important community need.