Meals on Wheels Covered Cupboards

Dear Parents,

We have enjoyed learning about the special families in our classroom through our reading and social studies activities in November. We have not only learned how families have fun together, but how they help each other to accomplish important jobs or work in their homes. In December, we would like to extend our discussion to include ways families can work together to help their community. There may be a problem in the community, but not enough money or people cooperating to solve the problem.

When we contacted Carissa Coslit, Supervisor of Volunteer Programs at Meals on Wheels, we learned of a problem in that important agency that we are inviting your family to volunteer and help solve. As you may know, the Meals on Wheels Program rely on many volunteers to cook and deliver meals to the elderly in our township. Early in winter, recipients are given a “Covered Cupboard” meal to use in an emergency situation, such as, when bad weather prohibits the delivery of a hot meal. The seniors are given a shoebox, or the cupboard, that contains nutritious ready to serve foods. The agency doesn’t have enough “Cupboards” for all the Meals on Wheels recipients. Ms. Coslit is thrilled that our class has volunteered to help solve this problem in our community.

If your family would like to donate to the “Covered Cupboard Program”, please refer to the attached list for the specific foods Meals on Wheels provides in the shoebox cupboards. Please note that the foods requested are low in sodium and sugar. After packing the shoebox, Ms. Coslit requests we wrap the whole box with paper (i.e. grocery bag paper is fine) and decorate with only markers or crayons please. As the boxes must be stacked in delivery vans, any decorations glued on will be ruined. You may send in the “Covered Cupboards” anytime before Monday, Dec.21. Ms. Coslit has volunteered to visit WOS to receive your wonderful gifts.

We hope your family enjoys participating in this meaningful community service project.
With sincere thanks,
WOS Teachers

MEALS ON WHEELS OF ROCKLAND COUNTY, INC. COVERED CUPBOARD PROGRAM SUGGESTED FOOD LIST:
Each shoe box, or “Covered Cupboard” should contain the following suggested LOW
SODIUM AND LOW SUGAR food items:
1 item from each food group listed below: 1 Protein, 1 Vegetable, 1 Fruit, 1 Soup and 1 Starch
Welcome, but not necessary items: 1 Condiment, 1 Beverage and 1 Dessert

FOOD GROUP CHOICES

PROTEIN
low sodium canned fish (tuna, salmon, sardines)
low sodium canned meat (chicken, no canned beef)
peanut butter
canned beans low sodium canned chili
Peanut butter sandwich crackers
low sodium ravioli

STARCH
Individual packets of oatmeal
Small boxes unsweetened cereal
Unsalted crackers (whole grain)
Peanut butter sandwich crackers
Cheese sandwich crackers
Rice
Small packages of pasta or noodles
Low sugar cereal bars or granola bars

VEGETABLES
Any canned vegetables (low sodium preferred)
Small cans of tomato sauce or tomato paste

FRUITS
Any canned fruit packed in own juice or water
Raisins or other dried fruits
Small portion packed applesauce

SOUP
Low sodium chunky soups
Low sodium beef stew
Low sodium vegetable soup (tomato, ministrone)
Low sodium broths

BEVERAGE
Juices (no sugar added)
Boxed milk
Instant packets of decaf coffee
Individually wrapped decaf tea bags
Unsweetened cocoa mixes
Small containers of tomato juice

CONDIMENTS
Jam/jelly (no sugar added)
Small containers of mustard, mayonnaise or honey
Small containers of light salad dressing

DESSERTS
Prepackaged low sugar, low fat pudding snacks
Low sugar jellow
(Please avoid candy!)