Deborah Prescott | Daily Press Gayle Gill sits in her car while Senior Center Administrator Lydia LaPalm places food items in the back seat. People are no longer allowed to enter the Escanaba Senior Center to pick-up their meal.

By Deborah Prescott

dprescott@dailypress.net

ESCANABA — Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency (CAA) will continue to support those in need with as little face-to-face interaction possible.

“At this time we are continuing with all of our programs that do not involve volunteers,” said CAA Executive Director Julie Moberg. “Congregate meals are on a takeout basis, and we continue to deliver meals to those at home. Schedules and procedures may change, but we are going to take care of our high priority clients.”

Moberg and her employees are following the governor’s guidelines that went into affect March 24 at 12:01 a.m., and working from home as much as possible.

“We are protecting our employees, while caring for others, with no face-to-face direct contact, except when absolutely needed,” said Moberg.

The Meals on Wheels program is continuing with limited contact with clients, and Senior Centers are not providing meals for others in the dining rooms, but through curb-side pickup.

Dick Salo, an Escanaba resident, is very appreciative of the continued efforts by the employees at the Escanaba Senior Center.

“These are great people here and I thank them for all they do,” said Salo while receiving his meal earlier this week.

CAA Nutrition Manager Pat Royer said they provided 1,000 frozen meals Friday, March 20.

“Seniors need to call the senior center a day before picking up their meal,” said Royer. “Seniors can drive up to the curb in front of the building and we’ll bring their food to the vehicle and place it inside. Seniors can pick up their meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This schedule can change at any time. We have considered shutting down.”

Programs involving volunteers – Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and Retired and Senior Volunteer programs – are on hold at this time.

“Those programs are on hiatus until we are able to function again,” said Moberg.

Housing and Weatherization employees are finishing work on current jobs and will go to appointments after that, according to Moberg. Early Childhood programs are following the public school schedules and will be closed until school districts reopen. Client and Senior Services and Homeless Assistance are continuing on a case-by-case basis.

“Anyone who is homeless can contact our office by phone or email and we will continue to help find them shelter,” Moberg said. “Anyone who needs our services … please call the main number and use the phone tree to get to the appropriate program. We will be checking on messages.”

Erika Marcella, CAA Manistique nutrition site manager, said congregate meals are available for seniors to pickup between noon and 12:30 p.m. Seniors need to call 906-341-5085 the day before. Currently home delivered meals are continuing from Monday to Friday.

“We have no physical contact with the clients and place the meal, in a plastic bag, on the door handle, or where it is convenient,” said Marcella. “We check on them by sight, waving to each other through a window, or contact our clients by phone if the deliverer didn’t see them.”

For additional information call the CAA main number at 906-786-7080.