Help wanted: Council on Aging needs meal delivery drivers in Morgan City

There’s good news and there’s bad news for the St. Mary Parish Council on Aging.
The good news is that senior centers in Franklin and Patterson are scheduled to open July 6.
The bad news is that a decision will have to be made in Morgan City: either to keep the center closed or to cut food deliveries if more drivers cannot be hired in the area.
Council on Aging Executive Director Beverly Domengeaux told the Berwick Town Council last week about challenges facing the Council on Aging.
She said that currently, all of her workers at the three centers are delivering meals. In Morgan City, 102 meals are distributed.
She has enough drivers available to put her workers back in the office and open the senior centers on July 6 in Patterson and Franklin, she said. But that isn’t the case in Morgan City. Domengeaux said she is looking for two drivers. The job is a paid position, Monday through Friday, for three hours a day.
“It’s a heartwarming job,” Domengeaux told the Town Council. “You get to know the seniors around here, and even though we have time limits to deliver the meals, sometimes my drivers run a little over because everybody wants to talk because they’ve been housed for so long. Since March 18 (2020), they’ve been safe. So if you know anybody, tell them to please give me a call.”
To be eligible for the position, drivers must have a working automobile, insurance and a good driving record.
The Morgan City issue may not be the only challenge facing the Council on Aging.
Domengeaux said Monday that she serves nearly 400 meals throughout the parish with a sizable waiting list. Through her current contract, 147 meals throughout the parish are funded, while she received money from the state during the pandemic to fund the rest.
She is hearing that additional funding will be extended until Sept-ember, but she has not been given a definite answer. If it is not, she will have to cut off the remaining meals that are not in her contract because she cannot afford to fund them.
For those who receive the meals, Domengeaux said she doesn’t expect them to pay for the meals. However, she said they do ask for a donation. Unfortunately, Domengeaux said those donations haven’t been coming in.
Domengeaux reported that 92% of her clientele have been vaccinated. She said those who haven’t taken the vaccine have said they don’t want it.
She said that she has entered an agreement with the Office of Public Health to inoculate those who are homebound who would like the vaccine.
“But they have to request it,” Domengeaux said.
She said trained workers will administer the vaccines in the homes.
To request a vaccine, call the Council on Aging at 337-907-6310.
Also, in June, the Council on Aging will hold a fan drive. While in the past Domengeaux said she has received fans from Cleco, she said this year, the company has elected to distribute LED lightbulbs instead.
She said the fans can be brought to the senior centers or to the Council on Aging’s administrative office at the Parish Courthouse in Franklin.