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Angelica Yankauskas recognized the problem her Suffolk Meals on Wheels clients would have almost as soon as vaccines for COVID-19 became available.

Not only are some of the Meals on Wheels clients homebound, but also they typically are older and not as technologically savvy as those in the younger generations.

With the combination of those two factors, she knew some of the Meals on Wheels clients would have a hard time signing up for the vaccine or getting to a vaccine appointment. With age and health risk factors, they were among the ones that needed it the most, as they might still encounter situations such as doctor’s appointments where they might catch COVID-19.

Yankauskas quickly worked out a partnership with Suffolk Fire & Rescue to administer the vaccine to 23 Meals on Wheels clients who were not able to get it any other way. The paramedics came directly to the people’s homes and gave the vaccines in the comfort of their own home.

Meals on Wheels is a nonprofit organization in Suffolk that does a lot of good. It typically delivers two meals a day to clients across Suffolk and Western Tidewater who, for a variety of reasons, do not have the ability to cook healthy meals in their homes. These meals and the friendly smiles that come with them help many people stay in their homes longer or return home from a hospital or rehabilitation stay sooner, which aids in the healing process.

Besides delivering meals, smiles and a daily check-in, Meals on Wheels has really been going above and beyond this year, particularly with the vaccination effort, which took place in March and again in April for the second dose. With the delivery of vaccines, they’re not just helping individuals recover from whatever ails them; they’re now helping all of us recover from this devastating pandemic.

You can donate to this worthy effort at www.suffolkmealsonwheels.com, or find out more information.