Meals on Wheels deliverer Jerry Robbins exchanges a friendly goodbye wave with client Frank Popiel in Hamilton last week. WILL MOSS - Ravalli Republic

Robbins has been delivering the meals for two years now.

“I’ve always felt we needed to get the word out,” he said. “There should be a lot more people on my routes.”

Robbins described the hesitation of some senior community members to sign up for the meal service.

“Bitterrooters are very independent, proud people,” he said. “They are reluctant because they think it’s some sort of charity, but this is not charity. It’s a wonderful service. Our clients pay for these meals, whatever their ability. Most pay full fare, many pay what they can pay. Plus they get free advice from the council on Medicare benefits ... they can help with transportation issues. Some of my friends and clients might need wheelchairs or walkers or a new cane and the council has a warehouse full of that stuff and has an exchange program to help them.”

“I know it’s tough to cook a balanced, nutritious meal for one or two,” Robbins said. “So this is a great service, just like ordering take-out.”

Doug McDaniel has been the Meals on Wheels chef for two years. Last week, he cooked up a savory plate of pork ribs and sauerkraut, tater tots and carrots served in a compartmentalized tray that was sealed and kept in a warming bag to be delivered with cold milk and a fruit cup.

“Some people eat them right away for lunch, others like to save them and heat them up just like a TV dinner,” McDaniel said.

“If he’s not cooking, our clients revolt,” said Robbins as he barreled into the kitchen to retrieve his seven meals. “They really can tell when he’s on vacation.”

According to their Web site, Meals on Wheels serves more than 20,000 meals annually to Ravalli County residents.

Robbins is a retired Vietnam vet who also serves as a court-appointed special advocate for children through the CASA program.

“I try to volunteer as much as I can,” he said. “But CASA sucks up a lot of time. I have a number of kids I advocate for and it’s a pleasure. It keeps me motivated. I’ve been so blessed ... God was so good to me that I just want to give back.”

As a boy, Robbins’ family owned a Coast to Coast store and eventually opened Robbins on Main, a Hallmark store.

“My dad was a state representative and politician,” he said. “So my roots go deep.”

The first stop on his route was to “Wild” Bill Foley who lives on Foley Lane east of Grantsdale.

“He’s a character,” said Robbins. “He still ranches and farms, but he’s almost blind and he lives like a bachelor, so of course he could use a little help cooking. He’s a good-spirited wonderful guy - a real Bitterrooter.”

Foley and Robbins greeted each other with laughs and a big bear hug. They talk cars and vacations and Robbins put the food straight from his warming bag to Foley’s refrigerator.

“I’m batching it here and I’m no cook,” Foley said. “I really enjoy them. I think they’re all so good.”

Foley said he’s been alone since 1993 and started ordering Meals on Wheels in 1997 after suffering a heart attack. His macular degeneration has taken a toll on his eyesight.

“I can’t even look anything up in the phone book,” he said. “It’s a handicap, a real handicap. So going to the store and picking out stuff is a big problem.”

What he can do, with the help of his grandson, is continue to change sprinklers on his 60 acres.

“I learned to walk on this land ... I got married and built that little house in ‘58 for $5,200 when money was worth something,” Foley said pointing to a small farm house in the distance.He attributes Meals on Wheels to helping him maintain his independence.

Next, Robbins delivered food to Maxine Sconyers - not only providing her lunch, but friendship and a watchful eye.

“I’m her outlet and her protector,” Robbins said. “She tells me she has someone to talk to now and someone to watch out for her” which alleviates many of her worries and anxieties.

Robbins explained that the Council on Aging also has the resources to look into issues like senior abuse.

“They’re very careful and knowledgeable on that,” he said. “Many people are exposed to the potential of predatory behavior of others like telephone solicitors, vendors or even relatives. We try to watch over them.”

As he walked to the door of Frank Popiel, a little caramel-colored Yorkshire terrier came charging down the stairs to greet him.

“Hi you little savage,” he said giving the yapping dog a scratch and a smile.

Popiel welcomed Robbins with the same friendly nature he had in his downtown shoe store. They hugged, they laughed and Popiel told of his latest adventures at a nearby polka convention.

Popiel looks 30 years younger than his 92-year-old birth certificate and attributes his good health to dear friends, dancing and eating healthy.

“These meals have been good to excellent,” he said. “I like fish, chicken and turkey and try to take it easy on the red meat, but I eat all my vegetables.”

Popiel had just finished 20 minutes on his treadmill before his lunch arrived, “I’m trying to wear out that treadmill,” he said with a laugh.

Popiel and his wife had been good friends with Robbins’ father and mother years ago.

“He is a real class act,” Robbins said. “He has the kindest, heavenly virtues that people should aspire to. He raised great kids, had a great business and really contributed to our community ... He was the lead officer of the National Guard and helped establish and set up our armory in town. There’s real history on some of these routes.”

Gil Jelinek was crossed off Robbins’ list last week. Although also in his 90s, Jelinek lives independently but was tragically attacked by a pit bull in the parking lot of Safeway recently and was in the hospital recuperating.

“We really pray for our friends when we know they’re not home to get meals,” Robbins said.

Alene and Tom Tunny were first-time recipients of Meals on Wheels. Although much younger in age, Tom was just released from the hospital after open heart surgery and Alene provides his constant care.

“Cathy Sital from the Council on Aging talked to us about receiving the meals, we had no idea this was available,” Alene said. “But I can’t get out to the grocery store for a couple of weeks, so this is really important to us.”

Barbara Schreck was also a new client on Robbins’ route. She recently moved to the Bitterroot to be closer to her daughters and is in the process of receiving dentures.

“They come everyday, on time and very polite,” she said. “It’s nice to look at the surprise and see what’s on the menu ... right now it’s very hard for me to eat, sometimes I have to cook it even more to soften it, but it’s all very good.”

Elaine Gossman waited anxiously for her lunch to arrive. Her third-floor apartment overlooks Legion Park where she is entertained by the children at play.

“Sometimes I get so mad at the parents because they let them do things I wouldn’t, but they can’t hear me from here,” she says with a smile. Robbins set her meal right on the table for her to enjoy a little before noon.

Robbins’ route took just over an hour to complete. He recently purchased a more fuel-efficient car to help support his habit of volunteerism.

Lori Garding, Nutrition Coordinator for Ravalli County Council on Aging, said she has seen a decline in her volunteers as a result of the rising price of gas.

“But it’s so worth it to get out there,” said Robbins. “Some days I’d even pay to do it.”

Group meals are also cooked by Doug McDaniel and served in Sula, Darby, Victor, Stevensville and Florence on designated days. For more information on Meals on Wheels or the group meals, call Lori Garding at the Ravalli County Council on Aging at 363-5690 or visit www.ravalliccoa.org and watch a Meals on Wheels video clip.

Reporter Stacie Duce can be reached at 363-3300 or sduce@ravallirepublic.com

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