by JORDAN GASS-POORE
Special to the Hays Free Press
After six years of service Shelley Pulliam is stepping down as the Meals on Wheels volunteer coordinator for the city of Kyle.
“She has been a lot of help to me,” said Delia Bernal, Kyle Meals on Wheels site manager. “I hate to lose her.”
Pulliam began volunteering for the non-profit organization in 2006 to become “more connected” with her community. She said she was quickly asked to become volunteer coordinator, originally a part-time position that developed into a full-time way-of-life, by her predecessor, Adell Hurst.
Her desire to help those in need extends across 25 years of experience with the Travis County Sheriff’s Department and as a resident of Kyle.
“It (Meals on Wheels) just kind of goes along with the social work background that I have,” Pulliam said.
As she transitions from her role as volunteer coordinator to caring for children at her church, Pulliam said she leaves the organization in need of volunteers.
Pulliam said she believes there is a volunteer shortage in Kyle because of rising gas prices and a 15-20 minute delivery time increase because of a growth in the number of clients.
Volunteers are required to provide a valid driver license and vehicle. The organization does not compensate for gas mileage.
Meals on Wheels services two routes in a five-mile radius from downtown Kyle.
Five days a week, volunteers deliver hot noon meals to 14 households.
Pulliam said volunteer hours are flexible and adaptable to a person’s work or school schedule.
“What happens, because they are volunteer positions, is that some people do it for a few months and then drop out,” she said. “During the summer there’s always a big dropout rate ‘cause people go on trips and things like that. We just need as many (volunteers) as possible.”
Pulliam said more volunteers means the organization has the opportunity to serve a larger area of Kyle.
According to the Hays County Combined Community Action website, to be eligible for services provided by Meals on Wheels, persons must be 60 years of age or older, homebound (unable to drive) and unable to leave home or cook without assistance.
Disabled persons under 60 years old who are on Medicaid may also be eligible to receive services.
Bernal said clients are asked to donate $2 per meal. She said if a person is unable to give the full contribution, they may give what they can afford and will not be denied a meal.
Bernal, who has worked with the Kyle Meals on Wheels program for eight years, said prospective clients should call her at 431-9150 between 9-11:30 a.m., Monday-Friday, to schedule a time and date for a home visit.
She said she will assess the site to conclude if the person is eligible for services.
Bernal said she collects the meals, which include such homestyle favorites as oven fried chicken, sweet potatoes and cabbage, and puts them in individual serving containers in preparation for deliveries.
All meals are cooked and prepared by Valley Services, Inc. in Austin.
Pulliam said volunteers pick up the meals from Bernal at the former Kyle City Hall.
Prospective volunteers can call 405-3922 to schedule a time and date to attend a delivery ride-along with another volunteer and complete a one-page application.
