Left Hand Laurel - Rich Anderson

For five years, Niwotian Rich Anderson has brought nurturing and nutrition to homebound community members through Longmont Meals on Wheels (LMOW). The organization's motto is Delivering Hope One Meal at a Time, and Anderson does that in batches of 12 to 16 deliveries per shift, each one providing greatly appreciated smiles and sustenance.

"Being retired," Anderson said, "I felt I needed something besides the activities in life I normally get engaged in. I just can't sit around the house. I wanted something to reach out and maybe help others. You've got a lot of seniors and sometimes disabled individuals that really need some social contact on a daily basis and that's the most important part...when you go out and have face-to-face contact with these people."

Meghan Altland, program service manager for LMOW said, "Rich is such a delight. He is always happy to help with any route anytime. He shows up with a smile and makes all of our days better".

Some clients don't engage in a conversation Anderson said, but he still feels a connection with them. Most know his name and chat briefly each time he stops by, so they get to know each other over time. Visits are also an opportunity to check on people who may be spending their days alone, which may be amplified by COVID-19.

With Coronavirus came procedural changes to keep everyone safe. Rather than drivers going inside the LMOW building on Long Peaks Avenue, a bundle of meals is brought out to volunteers' cars. Each client visit begins with the volunteer knocking on the door announcing they've arrived. Some clients open their doors and others say, "Come on in." The brief contact is heartwarming, Anderson said, and sometimes his arrival can come at a critical time.

It's rare, but if there's no response when volunteers knock, there may be reason for concern. Volunteers are trained to handle those situations by peeking in to see how the client is doing. They check to see if the door is unlocked, and contact the LMOW office if they're unable to reach the individual.

There was the time his knock was answered by one word, "Help!" Fortunately the door was unlocked and Anderson found the resident unable to get up from the floor on her own. "I gave her something to grab a hold of and she pulled herself up. Otherwise she would have been sitting there on the floor for a long time." She'd already been stuck there for an hour when Anderson arrived.

Seventy-nine year-old Anderson delivers meals two to three times a week, and also substitutes for drivers who are unable to make their shifts. Each shift takes about one to two hours.

"My Wednesday deliveries are to individual homes," Anderson said, "and the Thursday deliveries include both individual homes and senior apartment buildings."

Anderson said, "The staff [at LMOW] is friendly and great to work with. I'm looking forward to when we can go back into the building and be a little closer with them."

Often he picks up food donations from his church and other organizations and brings the provisions to OUR Center in Longmont for individuals and families in need.

When the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) offered Anderson a job in 1971, he moved from the Salt Lake City area to Niwot, making him a nearly 50 year resident of this community. After three decades working for the BVSD as its Director of Information Technology, Anderson retired in 2000.

In addition to his volunteer work, his days are filled with maintaining his home and large yard and he's an active member of the Boulder Aeromodeling Society and enjoys flying remote airplanes.

This super volunteer's sage words of wisdom for lifelong vitality are to read, study, and get involved with people. "Life is good. As long as you keep yourself busy and active and make sure you maintain your health, life is good!"

Longmont MOWs delivers 425 hot meals each day, five days a week in Longmont and Niwot. For individuals of any demographic, recovering at home from hospitalization, there's also a short-term program called Project Homecoming, which delivers five free meals to make that transition easier. The pandemic has put a hold on lunches being served in person at the Longmont Senior Center and Park View, unfortunately.

Next month, the Courier will feature a Gunbarrel couple who volunteer for LMOW's sister organization, Boulder Meals on Wheels.

To find out more about becoming a volunteer or client of Longmont Meals on Wheels or donating to the organization, visit https://www.longmontmeals.org/.