New executive director Meals on Wheels Syracuse expects a higher demand for the nonprofit’s services
By Mary Beth Roach
Q: Can you share what the Syracuse Meals on Wheels is and how many people you serve?
A: Our mission is to organize, plan and administer the service of delivering nutritious meals, nutrition education and resource assistance to people living in our community that are unable to do so for themselves. We provide education resources and case management services to our clients. Typically, on a daily basis, we serve around 395 people. A statistic that to me is really significant is 247,000 meals a year.
Q: These meals are not just for senior citizens, is that correct?
A: Eligibility requirements typically start at 60. However, there are circumstances when that requirement is waived, particularly if a client has a disability that creates a lack of mobility or they’re homebound and unable to prepare meals or shop for food.
Q: You come from a background of nonprofit organizations, having worked at Arise and Prevention Network. How do you believe that prepared you for Meals on Wheels?
A: My entire career was primarily in the behavioral health realm. I was the executive director at Prevention Network for eight years and loved nonprofit leadership, loved that organization and really honed my leadership skills. And what I’ve learned over the course of my career is that there’s so much that impacts a person besides physical and mental health. There are eight dimensions of wellness that frame my thinking. What attracted me to Meals on Wheels and leading this organization was the opportunity to intersect the mission of this organization with the “power of a knock,” which is Meals on Wheels America’s tagline. It’s so much more than meals. Sometimes it’s the only socialization for individuals that we serve. I saw an opportunity for building on that, continuing to provide the meals, but also taking this “power of a knock” and really enhancing what we could offer individuals in terms of resources. My experience helped me become very familiar with the community and other resources.
Q: What are the eight dimensions of wellness?
A: They’re emotional, social, occupational, financial, environmental, physical, intellectual and spiritual. It comes from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Q: Do you see the need increasing? And if so, why?
A: Absolutely. I think that there are a number of reasons. The state of affairs in the world right now and continued funding and attention given to human service needs, especially of vulnerable populations, are increasingly concerning. I think with some of the anticipated changes, we’re going to see an increase in folks that are unable to continue doing some of these things for themselves. And unfortunately, I also think that we’re going to see an increase in the number of people that are homebound. The biggest issue is uncertainty for both those we serve and the team here. I see it as part of my responsibility to prepare us for what may come.
Q: What are your goals moving forward?
A: The first goal is to honor the legacy that [former executive director] Mason Kaufman established. There is an amazing staff and almost 500 volunteers. It’s mind-blowing to watch what happens here on a daily basis so that we can serve 400 people every day. Another goal would be in terms of intersecting with the eight dimensions of wellness in any way that we can. And with the unknown that lies in front of us, guiding the team and the organization, to the best of my ability, to continue serving one of our most vulnerable populations.
Beth Hurny-Fricano became executive director of Syracuse Meals on Wheels this spring, replacing Mason Kaufman, who retired after having been at the organization since 1995.