DANVILLE — Sometimes, there’s a simple solution to a complicated problem.

Veronica Martin, CRIS Senior Center’s director of nutrition, grapples each week with scheduling home-delivered meals that CRIS provides throughout Vermilion County. At times, CRIS staff members or their families have to drive the routes when no one else is available.

“We have 12 routes that we deliver three times a week in Danville,” Martin said. “We also deliver in Rankin, Hoopeston, Georgetown, Ridge Farm and in the rural areas — we serve people in all four corners of Vermilion County. That’s over 700 home-delivered meals each week.”

The idea for how to solve this logistic nightmare, especially with gas prices continuing their upward spiral, turned out to be right in front of her. She presented it at a volunteer appreciation luncheon that CRIS held Thursday.

“Ed Cannavan has delivered meals on the east side of town, our Route 7, for years. That includes the VA and the senior apartments out there.

“He’s more or less adopted that route,” Martin said.

“Now we’re asking that others do the same. Whether it’s an individual, a church, a group or an organization, if they could each adopt one route for a year, it would make it so much smoother for us.

“One person in a group could take one route for one hour one day every week, or they could divide it up however they wanted.”

For some of those attending the Thursday luncheon, volunteering is a family activity.

Joanna Miller, her brother Patrick Mack and Miller’s daughter, Jacy, all deliver meals for CRIS. Now that school is out, Jacy looks forward to making more frequent trips.

“I can do it two or three times a week now,” the Oakwood High School junior said. “The people we deliver to are really nice. They enjoy having someone come to see them.”

It takes volunteers to pack the meals, which are delivered three days a week. Two frozen meals are provided for the two days without deliveries.

For the past two years, Rita Prouty has been one of those who pack the meals. The former head cashier for Woodbury’s and her fellow volunteer, Judy Wakeland, team up from about 8-10:30 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays to get the job done.

“I love being with people,” Prouty said. “After 23 years at Woodbury’s, I had to do something after I left. I volunteer at Provena, too.”

People at each table of honorees had their own reasons for donating their time. But one couple had a unique result.

Kenneth and Georgia Parmley renewed acquaintances as volunteers at CRIS’ congregant meal site in Ridge Farm. They met one another years ago when Kenneth’s now-deceased wife worked with Georgia.

“Neither of us was looking for a companion,” Kenneth said, “but the Lord has a way of doing things. I thank him for it.”

Since their February wedding, the couple continues volunteering at the site.

“We couldn’t do this without volunteers,” Martin said. “They allow us to have our nutrition program for seniors.

“The need for services is growing and budgets are shrinking. Our nation relies on volunteers more and more.”

FYI

For more information on CRIS’ nutrition program for seniors, call 443-2999.