BERKELEY – During a recent Township Council meeting, the governing body presented a proclamation to Meals on Wheels of Ocean County.
They served 286,000 meals in the county last year, said Heather deJong, director of advancement and engagement for Meals on Wheels of Ocean County. Berkeley was the town with the second highest number of clients.
The organization provides more than the bare necessities, she explained. The drivers check in on them, and sometimes are the only human interaction they have all week.
“We physically have to see our residents,” she said. This ensures that they are living safely and well.
If there are any red flags that a Meals on Wheels employee notices, they will refer them to services or, if needed, a more emergent response.
Mayor John Bacchione said that there’s a list of people in town who are on dialysis. In the event of a snowstorm, their streets are prioritized. The goal is to make sure that they are able to receive lifesaving medical care during emergencies. By next winter, Berkeley will have a list of Meals on Wheels recipients as well, so that they can receive their lifesaving nourishment no matter the weather.
In other news, the Council approved the appointment of Maggie Lugo to the Veterans Advisory Committee for a period of two years.
Officials also sent a request to Ocean County to submit an application for Fiscal Year 2027 Congressionally Directed Spending for the proposed extension of Western Boulevard, which is a county road.
“Western Boulevard is important to the development of town center, formerly the Beachwood Mall,” Bacchione said.
If it’s extended, it will allow for going in and out of the development, providing another option besides Route 9.
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