Delivering hot meals, hope in Monroe County

EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — Since 2004, the Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser has raised more than $3,000,000 for dozens of non-profits, as Monroe County’s largest single-event fundraiser.

This year, three deserving organizations were selected to receive funding and will be honored at a big event.

Brianna Strunk with the Pocono Television Network is introducing us to each organization.

Meet Lisa Latham, a retired teacher who spends her free time helping people.

“I just love it, it fills my heart to do it,” Latham said.

People like Kathleen Benamram, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, and relies on daily lunch and dinner deliveries from Monroe County Meals on Wheels.

Even her best bud, Raven, gets a treat.

“Even to try and go to the supermarket I get exhausted and overwhelmed just trying to walk around shopping for myself. I usually order online sometimes. So it’s great to know I don’t have to cook, especially cooking for just one person,” said Benamram.

Five days a week, volunteers use their own vehicles to deliver meals to nearly 300 elderly, homebound, and disabled Monroe County residents over the age of 18.

There are fixed routes covering every corner of the county and no matter what the weather brings, there’s always a plan in place to make sure no one goes hungry.

The organization also offers a pet program with cat and dog food, plus can provide financial assistance for veterinary care.

There’s also a pantry with access to household and hygiene essentials.

“There are a lot of pockets of this county that are very rural, very remote, and a lot of our clients, the volunteer that delivers to them might be the only person they interact with that day or even that week. So our volunteers are critical on that front for the human connection to help prevent that loneliness, that social isolation,” said Monroe County Meals On Wheels Director Alyssa Koeck.

Back on her delivery route, which usually includes 15 to 20 stops, Latham has developed many friendships since she began volunteering last year.

“I really feel a connection with them. One passed away recently and it was really difficult to process it. But you know you’re helping other people,” Latham explained.

People like Benamram, who continues her fight against breast cancer through oral chemotherapy, and looks forward to that daily doorbell ring.

“It’s a reason to get out of bed to know I have to be down to get the meal otherwise I’d just never get out of bed,” Benamram said.

Delivering not just hot meals, but hope, to those who need it most.

28/22 News is a proud sponsor of the 21st Annual Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser.

It’s being held Tuesday, September 10 at Mount Airy Casino Resort, and 28/22 News Evening Anchor Candice Kelly is honored, once again, to emcee the big event when we’ll learn just how much each organization is receiving.

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