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- L-R: Rui Campos, manager of the Fairhaven BayCoast Bank Branch, Susan Ouimet of Coastlilne Elderly, and Mary Cardoso of BayCoast Bank fill the trays of food that will go out to Meals on Wheels recipients while Gerami Pacheco, Elderly Nutrition Program Director, looks on during the March for Meals event at Fairhaven Council on Aging/Senior Center on 3/21/25. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
Coastline Elderly Services held its annual March for Meals event this month, visiting several Councils on Aging, including Fairhaven on 3/21/25. The event celebrates the Meals on Wheels program at a time when budgets are strained more than ever.
Fairhaven Select Board member Andrew Romano took his hand at sealing up meals for the ride people’s homes. Rui Campos and Mary Cardoso of Fairhaven’s Bay Coast Bank branch, helped fill the plates. They all joined delivery drivers for a bit to meet some people who rely on the program to get at least one hot meal a day.
The meals go out Monday through Friday to almost 120 Fairhaven residents. On Fridays, they get two meals for the weekend.
It’s not only about the food, though. For a lot of people, the contact with the delivery person is the only contact they will have with someone in person.
Justin Lees, Coastline CEO, said the squeeze on finances has been getting worse. Some Meals on Wheels (MOW) programs have had to start waiting lists, something Coastline hoping it will never have to do.
“The program is always underfunded,” said Mr. Lees, but noted it always has bipartisan support.
MOW relies on state and federal funding for about 30% of the cost of the program. The rest comes from donations, some health insurance reimbursement, and a $3 requested donation per meal.
The projected deficit this year is $1.4 million.
Rui Campos, Manager of the BayCoast Fairhaven branch, said he decided to help because Coastline is a “great organization.”
He said BayCoast encourages employees to volunteer in the community. He said they also donate funds.
“I like to get involved in the community and help the elderly,” said Mary Cardoso, who also works at BayCoast. “This is fun.”
Later in the day, after their ride along, the both said they enjoyed the conversations they had with people who received meals, and they were happy to help.
The meals include a hot entree, a roll and butter, milk, and dessert.
Coastline’s MOW delivers 1600 meals each day to seniors in seven surrounding towns, including Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Marion, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Rochester. They also go to Cuttyhunk. Anyone over 60 can request a meal. Contact your COA/Senior Center, or contact Coastline directly. You can donate to Coastline at https://coastlinenb.org or call 508-999-6400. The office is located at 863 Belleville Ave., New Bedford.
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- Nancy Kleinowskis and Rick Barboza share a laugh during the March for Meals event at Fairhaven Council on Aging/Senior Center on 3/21/25. Photo by Beth David.
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- Fairhaven Select Board member, Andrew Romano, helps by sealing meals, under the supervision of Kim Brown, Elderly Nutrition Program Assistant, during the March for Meals event at Fairhaven Council on Aging/Senior Center on 3/21/25. Photo by Beth David.
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- L-R: Delivery workers, Rick Barboza and Peter Richard chat while waiting for the meals to be ready for the Meals on Wheels program at the March for Meals event at Fairhaven Council on Aging/Senior Center on 3/21/25. Photo by Beth David.
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Click here to download the 3/27/25 issue: 03-27-25 MarchForMeals
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