Pelion, SC (Paul Kirby) – On Saturday April 12th, a Pelion business took it upon itself to give back to the community’s senior citizens who are considered homebound. These are the most vulnerable members of our community.
Prior to this worldwide crisis, many senior citizens attended Recreation and Aging Commission's Senior Centers across Lexington County every weekday. They socialized, stayed fit, and enjoyed other programs and trips together. They also enjoyed a nutritious meal provided at the center.
Those that couldn’t make the trip to the center, the homebound, could take advantage of the Meals on Wheels program that delivered food right to their doors. Since that isn’t available on weekends, Pelion restaurant Sweet Magnolia’s Deli and Grille decided they’d fill the void with an Easter meal, just on Saturday this year instead of Sunday. Then, they’d make sure that they got them to the homebound seniors. After all, they’re experts in catering too, so they have loads of experience making meals to take out.
According to Laura Dowey, the director at Pelion Senior Center, the management and staff of Sweet Magnolia’s offered to do this as a way of giving back: this after hearing the seniors didn’t get the Meals on Wheels on weekends. Dowey and the other center’s staff have been doing all they could to stay in touch with their clients while this crisis is going on, but a hot meal for Easter really would mean a great deal to those who were unable to get out and were simply lonely.
On Sweet Magnolia’s social media page, their management said they only learned about the plight of the homebound seniors recently. According to that post, there are 54 homebound seniors in Pelion and the surrounding community. Of the 54, ten have urgent needs and depend primarily on Meals on Wheels for their food. Sweet Magnolia’s just didn’t feel these people should be without an Easter dinner.
On Saturday, while preparing take out Easter Sunday dinners for people who bought them, they prepared the homebound nice plates too. Then, Laura Dowey and her daughter delivered them to the seniors.
According to the folks at Sweet Magnolia’s, they would love to be able to bridge the gap and supplement these meals for the seniors regularly. To help do this, starting next week, they’ll have a program in place where anyone who is led to do so can donate to keep the senior citizens of their community fed when Meals on Wheels isn’t available. Perhaps you could round up your bill, drop some money in a donation jar, or just swing by and leave whatever money you can. Besides, this would give everyone an excuse to enjoy their great food! They haven’t formalized the plan yet, but they probably wouldn’t turn away a donation.
Sweet Magnolia’s Deli & Grille is located at 921 Main St. in Pelion, South Carolina. They serve absolutely delicious southern classics, great salads, and a whole lot more. They are also one of the very best caterers anywhere. To reach them, call (803) 894-7751. You can also check out their Facebook page at this LINK.
