SANDPOINT — They live quietly all around us, the elderly shut-ins who can no longer drive, who no longer are able to prepare meals, and who may rarely have a visitor.

That’s why the 20 volunteer drivers of the home-delivered meals prepared at the Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc. building are so important, though the drivers say it is their lives that are most enhanced by performing this service.

“It’s so rewarding. You get hugs and handshakes and you form relationships with these people,” said Tom McGhee, who delivers meals to 15-20 homes in Kootenai and Samuels one day each week.

“For some of these folks, it’s their only interaction of the day,” said driver Don Thomas, retired glazier for Selkirk Glass and Cabinets, whose voice you still hear on the radio doing ads for the glass company. Thomas, also known for his tireless fundraising efforts for Toys for Tots over the years, delivers meals “in the heart of the city” to some 18 patrons. “Some of them have lived here all their lives and they have a lot to share; talking to them is the best part of the job,” Thomas said.

Approximately 75 percent of the recipients are women, said Mary McGinnis, coordinator for the home delivery program, and most of people are in their 80s. She said the number of deliveries varies from week-to-week; she estimated some 80 meals are prepared and delivered each week day.

McGinnis was cutting brownies fresh from the oven for the home-delivered meals on Tuesday. She and Teri Koich-Turner, assistant, must follow a menu that changes every week. Tuesday’s meal box contained a fresh cucumber and tomato salad; one-half a sandwich on dark bread; and brownies.

Ellen Weissman, executive director for Sandpoint Area Seniors, Inc., said the drivers are “the unsung heroes; they are faithful and kind.” They deliver to the housebound who cannot prepare meals themselves. We have to be able to get to them,” she said.

Volunteer driver Donna Johnson, a retired Litehouse employee in research and development, said, “It was on my heart to do it. I get to chat with some of them and get to know them,” she said. Her deliveries are in town on Fridays. “They cannot get out, so they are kind and appreciative.”

Sandpoint native Debbie Knowles has been delivering meals for nearly a decade.

“It started out when I was unemployed and they needed help here. I needed to stay busy, so I volunteered. I’ve been here 9 years,” she said. Knowles also does lawn maintenance/gardening/landscaping in the warmer months.

“The people I deliver meals to are important to me. Some have passed away and that’s the hard part,” Knowles said. She no longer delivers to one elderly man because he is in an assisted living, “so I still go visit him.” She said some of her people she knows well, and others she rarely sees because a caretaker comes to the door. Knowles has the Friday Kootenai route.

Retired Marine Bob Morley takes some 40 meals to the Priest River senior center each week, where they are then delivered. “It is something to do, to keep busy, and seniors have to eat,” he said. Morley and McGhee agree that it feels good to form relationships with the participants. “I want to repay Sandpoint; it’s a way to serve the community,” McGhee said. McGhee goes out to Kootenai and Samuels to deliver meals.

Craig Royer, retired “tree surgeon” said he delivers meals to Ponderay, Sandpoint, and Kootenai. Royer recently retired from his 21-year stint as organizer of the Sandpoint Tennis Association.

Drivers agreed one of the biggest challenges for some of the deliveries is getting to the person’s door because the driveway is not always plowed.

Those who deliver the meals include Dan Thomas, John Kroker, John Sneed, Lynn Walters, Don Haley, Bob Morley, Craig Royer, Russell Newell, Dalyn Marley, Rick Kelly, Janet and Steve Poltorak, Peggy Barsotti, Marge Keating, Kathy Cooper, Debbie Knowles, Donna Johnson, Connie Trout, and Tom McGhee.

Due to rules related to confidentiality, McGinnis and Weissman could not reveal the identity of individuals or couples who receive the meals each day, but notes sent to the program verify the recipients’ gratitude.

One participant wrote: “Thank you for everything you do. I don’t have any complaints. I’m a ‘glass half-full’ person. The beef stew and biscuits were delicious.”

And from another, “The prepared meals have been really delicious and a real blessing to me while I have been housebound and unable to do much of anything for myself. A special thank-you to Rick for managing to get in and out of my complicated driveway.”

And from a woman who lives in a Sandpoint apartment: “Thank you ever so much for all the good food the drivers deliver every day. It is always very tasty and wonderful. Keep up the good and great work and just know they are appreciated very super much each and every day.”

For those who know someone who may need meals delivered, contact Mary McGinnis at the senior center—(208) 263-6860. The approval process goes through the Area Agency on Aging in Coeur d’Alene, in addition to the senior center.

As for the drivers, they consider their role a high calling. Weissman sang their praises for reliability…”for always showing up.”

Susan Drinkard can be reached at susanadiana@icloud.com.