Out & About: Ligonier Valley meal deliverers get thank-you party

For a small-town group, Ligonier Valley Meals on Wheels puts up some pretty impressive statistics.

About 100 volunteers prepare and deliver between 40 and 50 meals Monday through Friday every week, assisting three paid employees.

That includes about 30 cooks sharing duties in the kitchen at Heritage United Methodist Church in Ligonier, and 30 drivers traveling five delivery routes.

It runs like a well-oiled machine, said board President Ginny Fitzner at a May 21 volunteer appreciation tea at the church.

“This is the lowest-maintenance group of volunteers I’ve ever worked with,” Fitzner said. “Other groups have closed due to lack of volunteers or funding, but not us.”

Also helping with the effort are Ligonier Giant Eagle, donating day-old bread and baked goods for the meals; The Pie Shoppe in Laughlintown, donating fresh-baked desserts twice weekly; and Rachel’s Ligonier Floral, brightening up meal trays with fresh flowers.

Contributing to the tea, where attendees enjoyed fruit punch, chicken salad sliders and a variety of sweet treats, were Abigail’s Coffeehouse and Heart and Soul Cookies & Pastries.

In addition to Fitzner, board officers include Vice President Becky Bell, Secretary Linda McDowell and Treasurer Frankie Graham.

Seen at the tea: Dee McColly, Pam Stablein, Sue Welty, Connie Lynch, Louise Wagner, Jodi Smith, Pat Owens, Lois Luptak, Carol Lynn, Peg Marshall, Gabriella Gick, Bill and Mary Smith, Dave and Terry Kelly and Oz and Louise Dean.