The month of March mobilizes hundreds of local Meals on Wheels (MOW) programs across the country to reach out to their communities and build the support that will enable them to serve America’s elder population all year long. As a member of the national organization, Meals on Wheels America, The Thompson participates in this annual celebration. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act nutrition program and Meals on Wheels.

In 2021, we delivered 11,247 Meals on Wheels!

Volunteers for The Thompson currently deliver 45 – 50 meals each day (Monday through  Friday) to older Vermonters throughout the towns of Woodstock, Bridgewater, Barnard, and Pomfret.  

The highlights of our March for Meals events this year: 

• Our 8th annual Thank You Walk – Instead of our traditional “march,” this year volunteers and staff will be assigned to deliver cookies and balloons to local businesses who support us.
• Community Champions week is March 21-25 where town officials and local celebrities nationwide are asked to participate in meal deliveries and events. 
• Wednesday, March 23 at 10:00 am will be our annual MOW driver meeting providing an opportunity for a review of requirements/procedures, to share ideas, and to celebrate the wonderful work of our MOW volunteers!
• Special Thanks to the Woodstock Farmers’ Market for once again making our meals program the   beneficiary of their “Round-Up” campaign!
• Watch for our Meals on Wheels column in the Vermont Standard and visit our Facebook page for   videos and more. 

It is our goal to remain open to serve our community while doing our best to prevent illness and limit exposures. We need everyone’s help and cooperation to realize this goal.  Symptoms of Omicron can be as mild as a runny nose, a headache, or fatigue. If you have any potential COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home.

At The Thompson:

• Masks are now optional.  However, if you are at high risk for severe illness, we recommend that you talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions
• People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask and not return to The Thompson until symptoms are resolved and they have negative test results.
• Cracking windows is encouraged for ventilation during exercise classes; please make sure to close windows after class.
• Make sure to practice social distancing – avoid congregating or crowding together.
• Commonly touched surfaces are regularly disinfected, and you should frequently wash or sanitize your hands while visiting.
• Reservations are required for all meals and programs. Sign up for Grab-n-go and dining room meals by 10:30 am (sooner if you’re able, as we are filling up regularly, and meals are on a first-come-first-serve basis).

Exposure or symptoms:

• If you have been in close contact or exposed to someone who is confirmed positive for COVID-19, please avoid coming to the Center until you have been tested 3-5 days after exposure, even if you do not have any symptoms.
• Follow Vermont Health Department’s recommendations after exposure.
• No one should come to the Center if they have tested positive for COVID-19 within 5 days, are feeling sick, or have any symptoms of respiratory illness. Please stay home and get well – if you let us know, we can help arrange delivery of meals, groceries or other necessities.
• If you have been at The Thompson and come down with any symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or learn about a confirmed positive exposure, please let Deanna Jones, Executive Director, know right away so that our exposure contingency planning can begin. Confidentiality will be maintained but we need to know so that we can work to keep other guests and staff safe and aware if they were potentially exposed.
• We strongly encourage you to keep up-to-date with your booster shots to provide maximum protection against infection. If you have not been vaccinated, we encourage you to contact your health provider to schedule a free vaccine appointment, or consult the state Health Department’s website for information. If you have any questions or need assistance, let us know! 802-457-3277

Testing

The Vermont Health Department maintains information on testing and local sites on their website. We can help you find test sites. If you are concerned about a recent Covid exposure, or are feeling sick,  we have home testing rapid kits available for participants, staff, and volunteers.  Call 802-457-3277 to learn more and arrange to pick-up a kit.

Vaccination

Vaccines are the best tool to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Vaccines help your body fight off the virus. When you are vaccinated you are much less likely to get sick and less likely to transmit the virus to others. Anyone who is not vaccinated is still vulnerable to experiencing the worst of COVID-19. The more people who get vaccinated, the fewer chances for transmission and mutations, and the faster we can end the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines >>

Find COVID-19 Vaccines

Questions

If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call. Below are some helpful links related to the ongoing pandemic from our local health departments. We recommend using these resources to verify other information you may encounter online or through other media outlets.

• Vermont Department of Health
• New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Last updated: March 21, 2022

Paula Audsley, Business Manager: Paula has been at The Thompson the longest of any Thompson staff member – 17 years!  She has touched virtually every part of our program, knows our building inside and out, and tracks our finances through Quickbooks with the most detailed eye. She has managed reporting, recruited   volunteers, driven the bus on trips, delivered Meals on Wheels, decorated our building, run the Holiday Bazaar, and so much more.   

Favorite thing about working at the Thompson:  Sharing with our Seniors their life stories, friendship, laughter and tears. When my son was in grade school in Barnard I would occasionally pick him up so he could join me delivering Meals on Wheels; it gave him an early appreciation of our senior citizens and one of the most important missions of the Thompson – delivering hot meals and checking up on our patrons.

Favorite Thompson memories:  Driving our van full of seniors to local shows, performances and outings and longer trips to such far flung places as Alaska, New York City and Washington DC during which I could get to know some of our patrons so much better. Another favorite memory was when a   rather shy, very quiet lady got up at lunch and started yodeling; it was just such a surprise and amazing how well she could yodel!

Hobbies and bucket list:  Most anything outdoors: fishing, swimming, kayaking, hiking, gardening, long walks with my trusty yellow lab, Pippa and quilting and knitting for indoor activities. I recently crossed off my bucket list zip lining (exhilarating)! A trip to Hawaii might be next and exhibiting quilts nationally.

Jen Bloch, Marketing Coordinator: Jen has been The Thompson’s marketing coordinator for 6 years.  In this role she has created hundreds of beautiful program flyers, newsletters, posters, website content, and ads that shared critical information about The Thompson with our participants and supporters. Jen also worked with us for a year as our volunteer coordinator a few years prior, and we were so glad to have her come back to us in the marketing role.  Jen and her husband, Dave, live in Woodstock with their three sons Evan (20) Christian (18) and Austin (15) and their sweet lab named Ollie.

Hobbies:  I love to read, garden, bake, hike, and get to the beach whenever possible. 

Bucket list items:  A family trip to Scotland, Ireland and Germany (my ancestral background). 

Favorite memories at The Thompson:  My favorite time at the Thompson is during the holidays where it’s so festive and cozy. I especially look forward to our holiday meals and spending time with fellow staff during our holiday party. 

Favorite meal at the Thompson:  Hands down the Mac and Cheese

Favorite thing about working at the Thompson:  One of the most rewarding things about my specific role is that I have the opportunity to communicate such important information to those who need it most. I can visually enjoy the sense of accomplishment whether it be the printed newsletter or an eNews or an invitation or flyer/poster. I like coordinating all of the information into one place and putting my own little creative spin on it. I’ve learned a great deal and continue to learn which keeps my job super interesting! 

Shari Borzekowski, Administrative and Resource Assistant:  Shari has been at The Thompson for 5 years and helped to develop her role as our first resource assistant.  She writes our thank you notes, processes donations, manages our calendars and building rentals, and assists other staff with administrative tasks.  Her role has grown as our communities needs have grown and now includes our Aging at Home program — managing donated medical equipment and providing referrals to our vetted service providers – one number to call for any Aging at Home need.

“ I live in Killington with my husband and two teenage kids (one’s usually in college) and our 3 year old dog.  We’re a musical family, we all sing and each play a different instrument, sometimes together!  I also enjoy hiking and yoga.  I love the Thompson patrons and volunteers–I’m inspired by their energy and their positive outlook, even Dwight’s gallows humor, which took a while to get used to.  I love sitting in the foyer and being in the thick of things.  I miss everyone and look forward to your coming back to the Thompson!”

Deanna Jones, Executive Director: It’s hard to believe I’ve been at The Thompson for 10 years!  These have been some of the most rewarding years of my life.   I’ve had 2 of our 4 children since joining the Thompson, and I’ve loved that they’ve all had a big extended family with so many people caring for them.  Now ranging in age from 4 – 16, they don’t join me at the Center as often, but they have a lasting love and respect for our older generation.  One of my most special memories is when our older children advocated at their ArtisTree camp for the proceeds of their craft fair to go to Meals on Wheels. Without me knowing, they convinced the class how important the meals are.  I’ve also loved giving many other children the opportunity to experience the special care and attention at The Thompson during our Generation to Generation programs.  I also love the holiday gatherings that feel like family get togethers (even when I worry about the Yankee Swap gift stealing of the Vera Bradley purses).  Some of my biggest challenges are keeping up with communication and advocating for recognition and funding of the important work of senior centers.  Senior Centers are the hidden gems that keep a big part of the community safe and well-fed during normal times and times of crisis.  I was at the Thompson during hurricane Irene and now during Covid, and I can’t imagine anything more fulfilling than working with this team of staff and volunteers who always go above and beyond.