Forsyth County celebrated a service milestone on Monday when a Meals‑on‑Wheels delivery to 105‑year‑old retired science educator Ben Briggs marked the program’s eighth million meals delivered. The milestone underscores the essential role the service plays for homebound seniors across Winston‑Salem and surrounding areas, providing both nutrition and regular check‑ins that can alert families to emergencies.
According to WS Chronicle, Governor Josh Stein joined Senior Services Inc. for the delivery, drawing public attention to the program’s longevity. The delivery also highlighted a recent incident in which a volunteer, noticing that Briggs did not answer his door, discovered he had fallen and promptly notified Senior Services, which then contacted his daughter, Bonita, to arrange assistance.
Senior Services’ 2025 Aging Outlook and Service Report, cited by the Chronicle, shows the program served 1,639 participants with 234,810 meals in fiscal year 2023‑24. Demographic data reveal that 51% of participants live alone, 39% are below the poverty line, and 52% identify as Black or African American, illustrating the program’s reach among vulnerable seniors.
The Chronicle notes that eligibility requires residents be age 60 or older, homebound, and unable to obtain or prepare a nutritious meal. While eligibility does not guarantee an immediate slot, some routes may have waiting lists when they are full. Interested families can start the process by calling Senior Services’ Help Line at 336‑724‑2040 or emailing [email protected], and a Request Help form is also available on the organization’s website. The Help Line assists older adults, caregivers, and professionals with broader needs such as transportation, personal care, housing options, home repairs, and long‑term planning.
What’s next: Volunteers continue to deliver weekday routes, and individuals can join as solo volunteers or with a partner by contacting the volunteer coordinator at 336‑721‑6961. For households seeking meals, the next step is to call the Help Line, describe the need, and confirm service availability at their address. The eight‑million‑delivery milestone marks a historic achievement, but the program’s ongoing impact depends on each new connection made in the community.
Sources: wschronicle.com
