'Lunch is on us!'

Adult Day Program team whips up meals for wildfire evacuees in Grande Prairie

Story by Logan Clow

GRANDE PRAIRIE — When Nicole McKeachnie drove by a sign city sign of information for wildfire evacuees, she immediately knew how Alberta Health Services’ Adult Day Program (ADP) could help out.

The sign, set up in front of Grande Prairie Regional College, gave directions to the local reception centre for people who were forced to flee their High Level area homes due to the wildfire threat.

“The first thing I thought was that we should support these people in their time of need,” says McKeachnie, a recreation therapist with the ADP.

“Our Adult Day Program’s charity lunch week was coming up at the time I drove by the sign. It just so happens that the week when we were doing a charity lunch for the month of May, some of the evacuees were in Grande Prairie. I thought we could support the evacuees by bringing lunches to them.”

The ADP, established in September 2017, operates out of rented space at the Prairie Lake Seniors Community. The home care program is geared towards seniors in the Grande Prairie area who live independently at home, but are looking for more socialization and healthy living opportunities. Clients may have physical and/or memory challenges, are living with a chronic illness, or feel socially isolated in their own homes. It also provides respite to caregivers.

One of ADP’s activities is preparing and delivering monthly lunches for local social agencies, such as Rotary House, Odyssey House, Rising Above and, previously, the St. Lawrence Centre.

“When we told our clients that we were making and delivering some lunches to some of the evacuees, there was a loud cheer and lots of excitement,” adds McKeachnie.

“Our clients really empathized with the evacuees. They wanted to make a difference, even if it was just a small lunch — and I think we were able to do just that.”

This month’s lunch prep was no different than usual.

Each month the Real Canadian Superstore donates $100 to the ADP. McKeachnie uses the donation to buy sandwich-making supplies, apples, juice boxes and ingredients for chocolate chip cookies. ADP staff and clients then team up to make 75 lunches.

Lunch prep includes baking cookies and making egg salad sandwiches. Before they’re delivered, clients ensure each bagged lunch includes a sandwich, juice box, apple and cookie.

On May 29, they delivered 50 bagged lunches to evacuees at the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre, and brought another 25 to Rotary House.

“While we didn’t speak directly with the evacuees, I hope we were able to provide them with some nourishment and brief relief,” says McKeachnie. At the end of the day, I’m extremely proud of our clients this month. They really showed pride and humility in putting these lunches together.”

Kathy Chitrenia, an ADP client, says making lunches is a way to help others. Joanne Arsenault, another ADP client, adds making lunches brings a feeling of accomplishment.

The ADP runs Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. It’s staffed by McKeachnie, as well as a recreation therapy assistant, health care aide and administrative assistant.

Watch the Adult Day Program in action.