Lexington County seniors can get meals delivered to them during coronavirus. Here’s how

Senior citizens in Lexington County could be eligible to receive free meals at home each week during the coronavirus pandemic.

Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission’s Meals On Wheels program offers free and reduced-price meal delivery for county residents 60 and older, and those who are home-bound or unable to prepare food. During the coronavirus pandemic, LCRAC is making its eligibility requirements “more flexible” in order to help more seniors in need,

Those who qualify receive five meals delivered once a week, for no charge. Don’t know if you qualify? Call 803-356-5111 and ask for a community resource specialist who can conduct an intake interview over the phone. The first step should take about 15 minutes. After that, a case manager will finalize the process. Meals On Wheels is working to connect seniors will meal deliveries faster than usual, given the scope of the coronavirus’ impact, according to specialist Shamay Oware.

New clients should receive meals within 48 hours of completing the referral process, she said.

Those senior citizens who do not qualify for free Meals on Wheels deliveries also have the option of signing up for a paid version. On than plan, seniors receive five meals for $7.59 a piece, or about $40 per week.

Oware said Lexington County Meals on Wheels is seeking donations of basic necessities it can distribute to elderly clients. Toilet paper, toiletries and shelf-stable foods are being arranged into care packages for preexisting clients. Although the LCRAC building is closed to the public, donations can be dropped off at the front door. The Meals on Wheels team sanitizes each donation before bringing it inside the building, Oware said.

For more information about what resources are available for seniors during the coronavirus, call 803-356-5111 or visit www.lcrac.com. The Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission is located at 563 South Lake Drive in Lexington.