HOME DELIVERY

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mother. Because I'm a volun-
teer-nik."
A few years ago, Bernie
Winer of Southfield was asked
by a buddy if he would like to
help out on Wednesdays.
"At first, it helped get me
out of my wife's hair one day a
week," he quips. "But Meals
on Wheels has become very
important to me. I'm very glad
I was asked and can help."
There's no disputing the
camaraderie present among the
Wednesday regulars. This day,
about eight men gathered
around a dining room table
sharing jibes and jokes while
waiting to load up their cars.
Two women are comforting
a fellow volunteer who was
recently widowed.
On this Monday, double
deliveries were made in recognition of Rosh
Hashanah, because no delivery would occur
Tuesday.
"When we have a bad weather emer-
gency," says Asarch, "the law says our clients
must have three days of nonperishable food
in their homes. So extra packing and driv-
ing is needed then as well."
Often, volunteers recruited by Jewish

Family Service help out in those situations.
Lil Chinitz of West Bloomfield has
worked with Meals on Wheels for 20 years.
"She taught me everything I know," says
Asarch, who has been with the program 19
years.
"Yes, but she's the chief. I'm just an
Indian," insists Chinitz.
Jill Greenspan Gun of Birmingham and
Jo Rosen of West Bloomfield are exceptions

to the typical Meals on Wheels volunteer.
The two longtime friends, both forty-
something, share a route each Wednesday.
"It's our way of helping and spending
true quality time together," says Greenspan
Gun.
"When my own mother died five years
ago, I missed conversation with older
w
_ omen," .Rosen says.
Both women attest to forming bonds
with and gaining wisdom from their
clients. When one woman who had treated
them like granddaughters passed away, both
Jill and Jo were mentioned in her eulogy.
Although both women hold jobs, sympa-
thetic employers have allowed them their
Wednesday mornings.
The cadre of available daytime volunteers
has dwindled tremendously because so
many women have returned to work and
workers of either gender delay retirement
age.
Nonetheless, Asarch would love to see
some new, willing workers of any age group
step forward.
"I'm hoping the sisterhoods and other
organizations with active, vital people will
be able to help us in the future," Asarch
says. "The time commitment is small, but
the contribution is enormous." ❑

To volunteer for Meals on Wheels,
call the NCJ W. at (248) 355 330.

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Clockwise from top:

Midge Stein of Bloomfield
Hills checks off meals for
each delivery order.

John Steanhouse and
Rhoda Rosin, both of
Detroit, prepare the meal
packages for delivery.

Florence Ashin of Oak
Park checks a cooler full of
meals before she takes off to
deliver them with her
husband Irv.