Q&A with WASI CEO Chuck Foster discussing senior support through the holidays

WASILLA — Wasilla Area Seniors Inc. CEO Chuck Foster recently participated in a question and answer interview to discuss their efforts supporting seniors amid the COVID-19 pandemic over the last year and how they’ll help their residents through the holiday season.

Q: How are things going generally?

“Generally speaking, Wasilla Area Seniors is doing well despite the concern about COVID 19. People seem to recognize the serious trouble a pandemic presents to seniors and they are ready to help. That means a lot – particularly when we have seen our need for meals increase by about 65%. Many of those meals are Meals on Wheels and our small delivery staff is working at their capacity to get them delivered every day. In fact, that’s one area where we could use some help. Every day, we deliver about 300 meals in the Mat-Su. And the Mat-Su is a lot of territory to cover. If we could get more volunteers to help deliver it would help relieve the strain our team feels.”

Q: What is WASI doing to help make Thanksgiving special?

“This Thanksgiving is going to be weird, but frankly, a lot of us have been there before. Many of us will be separated from the places and the people we want to see. We want to help seniors remember that there are always good things to be grateful for. We’ll serve a full Thanksgiving feast on Wednesday at the Wasilla Senior Center and at the Mid-Valley Senior Center in Houston. Our sponsor this year is Diversified Tire – they help pay the added costs of a large holiday meal and we’re very thankful for their support. As usual, about 20 or so seniors will probably dine in the dining rooms and many more will take their meal home. We offer take-away service at both senior centers. Our doors open to seniors in the community (and their guests) at 11:00 am for lunch each weekday (Just remember we’re closed Thursday and Friday this week. As always, our meals are available on a donation-only basis to seniors who are aged 60+; for younger folk we have an affordable charge. ($10).

After Thanksgiving, WASI takes a two-day holiday and the weekend to catch our breath. That means we’ll actually deliver five days of meals on Wednesday this week to each and every Meals on Wheels household. That’s almost 1,500 meals to deliver, plus the meals we serve at the senior centers. And it’s important. Besides the nutrition we provide, this give our seniors a chance to enjoy good times and see friends – even if the friends are six feet away or the good time is a short visit with a Meal on Wheels driver. It means something more than many of us realize. So that’s why we’re trying to make Thanksgiving special in this crazy year that makes it harder than ever. There’s always good in our lives and if we can make even a little more security, or serve a little more good food, or offer a bit more companionship in the lives of the people we serve, it’s worth it.”

Q: What sort of actions has WASI put in place to support seniors and their families during this time?

“We’re really focused on keeping the senior centers clean so seniors feel safe coming inside. We want people to make their own decisions about how they live their lives so we want to offer as many choices as seniors need. We do a lot of cleaning and sanitizing, and we require anyone coming into the senior centers to “First, Wash Your Hands.” We’ve hired new staff just to help keep up with cleaning. Otherwise, we are offering services in multiple ways, so seniors can participate from a distance if they choose. For example, our meals are available in our dining room, or by take-away service at the senior centers, or through Meals on Wheels. Our exercise programs are available in person (we have large spaces that let people keep lots of space around them) or virtually trough Zoom. But many holiday events will be very different this year. For example we will likely have groups coming to the Wasilla campus to sing Christmas carols. That’s a wonderful tradition, but this year we’ll ask them not to enter the buildings to sing; we would otherwise invite them in.”

Q: Are visitors currently allowed onsite and if so, what protocols are in place?

“Visitors are welcome at the Wasilla and Mid-Valley Senior Centers – after all, we are community centers. We ask everyone to respect others’ preferences for distancing yet we have one firm rule: when you enter a building: “First, Wash Your Hands.” In the apartments, seniors may bring invited guests into their apartments and that has worked really well. When people respect each other, troubles melt away.”

For more information, call 907-376-3104 or visit wasillaseniors.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com