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Seeing a need in the Manchester and Coffee County community, Amanda Fuller and her husband Ron Fuller approached Unity Medical Center about launching a meal program for those who are at risk due to medical reasons.

Officially launched in August 2021, Daily Breads Mobile Meals currently serves meals to residents of Manchester and Coffee County Monday through Friday every week.

“It was the first Monday in that August — that was our first day.” Fuller said. “So, the program was started, but the only problem was, we had volunteers, the kitchen was all set up, and we didn’t have anyone yet to receive the meals, but the second day we had three people.”

A nonprofit program, Daily Breads Mobile Meals requires a dedicated team of more than 50 volunteers to both package and delivery custom made meals for individuals with medical needs.

Fuller said some volunteers handle the packaging, while others take a delivery route to make sure the meals get where they are supposed to go.

In order to become a part of the free meal program, a referral must be submitted to Daily Bread Mobile Meals through Unity Medical Center by an individual’s primary care doctor or church pastor.

There are many reasons why someone might qualify for the program, Fuller said.

“Let’s say they just got out of the hospital, and they can barely make it to the bathroom let alone stand at the stove, or someone who has mobility issues, someone who is on oxygen,” she said. “We have some people who are with us for just a few weeks as they recover and we have some people who we just know they are going to be with us for the long haul.”

Fuller said an individual’s financial ability does not matter, only that they are at risk due to medical reasons and reside within Coffee County.

Cindy Nadeau of Unity Medical Center works directly with Fuller on the program, and she said there are additional benefits beyond simply a community member receiving a meal.

“There is more to it than just the nourishment, somebody lays eyes on them every day,” she said.

Both Fuller and Nadeau agree simply spending some time with those receiving the meal is an important component of the program.

Nadeau said all volunteers are trained and know what to do if something seems to be amiss when they deliver a meal to someone’s home.

“If a patient says I can’t get up right now can you set it in the fridge and if they open that fridge and there is nothing in there, they are perceptive to those things,” she said.

With nine churches involved in the program, volunteers are a critical component to its success, and Daily Breads Mobile Meals is always looking to build its volunteer base.

As important as our recipients getting what they need and everything, we are equally appreciative of our volunteers,” Nadeau said. “We could not do this program without the volunteers.”

Anyone interested in volunteering for the program can choose between volunteering to package the food for delivery or delivery meals on a route. Those interested in volunteering or making a monetary donation can call the Unity Medical Center front desk at 931-728-6354.

Nadeau, who also works in case management for the hospital, said she sees patients go home after surgery who have no one to help them get the proper nutrients to help in their recovery.

“Everybody knows if you are not eating you are not going to heal,” she said.

Fuller said she enjoys volunteering with the Daily Breads Mobile Meals program and knowing she is helping to make a difference for those in need.

“It is important to the community and I see what I am doing as a volunteer with this as a seed to help the community,” she said. “We are able to reach people who might not have otherwise been reached.”