Photos by Scott McCloskey Family Service-Upper Ohio Valley Director of Nutrition Andy Wesolowsk and CEO Paula Calvert look over the new kitchen at the Center Wheeling agency.

WHEELING — Family Service-Upper Ohio Valley CEO Paula Calvert reminds older residents of Ohio and Marshall counties that the Center Wheeling nonprofit agency continues to provide many essential services — even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Located at 2200 Main St. in Center Wheeling, the agency offers a variety of support services that keep many of life’s basic necessities within reach for seniors age 60 and older, including in-home care, van transportation and a nutrition program that delivers meals daily.

“Our main purpose is to allow the senior to live as independently as possible for as long as possible in their home,” Calvert said. She noted that in many situations “trying to live independently and not being able to drive is a hardship.”

“We go to their house. We pick them up and we take them to their doctor appointments, financial appointments, grocery (store), and pharmacy,” she said. “As we become a part of their family, they become a part of our family.”

The agency’s In-Home Care program assists seniors with activities of daily living and non-medical services, such as meal preparation, light housekeeping and laundry, and getting in and out of the tub or shower if needed. The service is provided by appointment on a sliding fee, suggested donation and/or subsidized fee basis. Calvert said for many seniors, it is nice to have that extra security at your home if you fall or if an emergency situation occurs.

In addition, the agency provides a representative payee program, which is a service for individuals who need help managing their bills.

“If you’re not capable of doing that, you can become a victim of financial neglect and abuse. So we are trying to assist individuals to prevent that,” Calvert commented.

The agency’s van program provides basic transportation to essential destinations, including medical appointments, grocery shopping and other important appointments or events. The service is provided on a donation basis.

The nutrition program provides a daily hot lunch through home meal delivery Monday through Friday, and a weekend frozen meal if desired. The agency is also boxing and delivering non-perishable pantry items to those who qualify.

“Having something in your pantry is something we felt the need to have for our seniors,” Calvert said.

She added that the agency is currently delivering 8,000 meals a month on average for local seniors.

“Before COVID, we were averaging about 5,000 meals a month,” Calvert added.

The agency’s offices are located in the space that previously housed a Wonder Bread retail store, and a spacious commercial kitchen, food preparation room, several storage rooms and a large community room were developed in the space that was formerly occupied by a Goodwill thrift store.

“When we moved to this location we had the convenience of parking and this is a thriving part of Wheeling,” Calvert commented.

While the building and large activities room are currently closed to visitors for activities such as bingo, art and Tia Chi classes, Calvert hopes the agency will be able to reopen those activities to seniors “when things return back to normal.”

“When COVID hit, we were ordered by the governor not to have visitors in our building,” Calvert explained. “We’re hoping that will come back soon. … I would like to stress that due to COVID-19, the Family Services is really trying to make sure our seniors know that we are there for them and that we are here to support them in this uncertain time.”

For more information about Family Services, call Calvert at 304- 233-2350, ext. 105.