Mayor Potts Declares 15th Annual Douglas-Cherokee March For Meal Month

Jefferson City Fire Chief Lee Turner, Driver Bill Nagy, Douglas-Cherokee Senior Nutrition Program Director April Myers, Jefferson City Police Chief Andy Dossett, Jefferson City Mayor Mark Potts, Jefferson City Police Officer Brandon Lichty, and Volunteer Heidi Potts
Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

Jefferson City Mayor Mark Potts declared through a Mayoral Proclamation, Monday, March 20, 2017 that March 2017 was the 15th Annual Douglas-Cherokee March For Meal Month.

Prior to making their regular deliveries, Meals On Wheels gathered in the Jefferson City Municipal Building, along with the Senior Nutrition Program Director April Myers, Driver Bill Nagy, Mayor Mark Potts and wife Heidi Potts, Fire Chief Lee Turner, Police Chief Andy Dossett, and Officer Brandon Lichty, who all made deliveries to the seniors served by the organization.

Director April Myers explained that out of her office Jefferson, Hamblen, and Grainger counties are serviced with a total of 5 drivers who deliver hot meals to seniors on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays, with an extra cold meal left on Tuesday for Wednesday. Chief Turner expressed that, in the event of incliment weather, the Fire Department would be glad to help deliver or make sure the meal could be delivered. “You let us know and we’ll get you where you need to go,” said Chief Turner. Mayor Potts also said that, as Deputy Director of EMS, he would be glad to help in case of bad weather. “We have 4 wheel drives and transport dialasis patients in all weather; we can help get meals out to them, as well.”

Director Myers went on to explain that in Jefferson County there is a waiting list of approximately 40 people to become recipients of the program. ETHRA (East Tennessee Human Resources Agency) determines the number of seniors per county who recieve the service. More seniors can be served; however, additional funds would be necessary at the cost of approximately $1500 per year per recipient. Meals On Wheels is a no cost service to the seniors who receive meals. Myers stressed that the Program could always use additional volunteers to help deliver.