Ones Actions tells of Ones Heart
If you want to truly know a person’s heart, watch their actions. Last Thursday morning temperatures were nearly -40 degrees with wind chill, progressively to be worse. And Friday’s forecast was to be even colder. Bagley schools were open, but closing at 1pm.
The Bagley Senior Center Kitchen Manager Debbie arrived that morning to get the days meal started. Not long after arriving she received a call from her regional supervisor (NSI). Her supervisor asked if an additional full meal could be prepared and sent out with the MOW drivers “in case”the Bagley Schools close on Friday. The Bagley Senior Center follows what the Bagley schools do.
On any “typical” late January very cold winter Thursday morning in Northern MN a double meal prep/pack/bag would be a bit challenging yet doable. However, “this” very cold late January cold winter Thursday morning wasn’t typical. Why??? Well, the center’s walk-in freezer was broke down. A repairperson wouldn’t be able to complete the necessary repair to for a month. This leaves Debbie with the freezer space a couple small freezers with attached refrigerator.
Debbie didn’t go into panic mode. She didn’t think impossible. Her mind immediately started thinking what was possible. She thought about the senior adults on the MOW program who count on this meal, especially if it’s their only meal for the day. Each meal is balanced, complete with a protein, two sides, a bread, dessert and milk.
The meal for Thursday, baked chicken, was about to go in the oven. The amount she Debbie was baking wouldn’t be enough for the two meals. To save the most time, especially working alone, the protein for both meals would be baked chicken as well. She quickly opened additional bags of chicken; cleaned, cut them up, placed it on baking sheets, then all of it into the oven.
Debbie had to get creative to figure out the two side dishes. The Thursday meal side already decided. It was Friday’s she needed. Side one would be mixed vegetables. As she searched her storage room, wondering what was even possible, work under the requirements and not take extra time. She sees apple sauce. It wasn’t her favorite choice yet she knows it will work. The chicken nearly done. She was in serious need of help. It was getting close to time for the MOW drivers to start arriving. Yet the food wasn’t packaged.
MOW volunteer drivers Jan and Jody showed up a little early. They saw Debbie needed help readying the food for delivery. Robin from the Sip Station had a few minutes to spare. Kay shifted from her normal daily routine in her office to help. The four, along with Debbie, went into full food packaging mode; seal/pack/sack, separate into the routes. The remaining drivers arrived, food was loaded into vehicles and the double meals were delivered to each MOW recipient AND very near on-time!
Never underestimate a woman who cares about the welfare of our older population that she would do whatever it takes to make what seemed impossible, possible. Her heart speaking loud and clear.
Thank you Debbie for your dedication and hard work each day providing healthy balanced meals that are tasty, especially on this particular day. Your heart shined brightly.
Thank you MOW volunteers Jan & Jody for walking into the center, seeing an urgent need and just doing it! Thank you Kay and Robin for sparing time away from your normal daily activity to fulfill an urgent need.
Thank you to all the Thursday MOW drivers who showed up to the center not knowing they would be delivering double meals to each person on the program. They loaded up, went back out into the frigid elements and just did it!
Everyone involved that morning can take great pride for their part in making it HAPPEN! The heart spoke loud.