Tina Schreyer, owner of Dough See Dough Bakery in Eureka began hosting the Meals on Wheels program for that area in August 2016. Schreyer, a former home health caregiver, said she has a heart for home-bound people and enjoys providing people with good, homemade meals. (Photo by Holly Eitenmiller / for Chronicle Media)

When Tina Schreyer first began hosting Woodford County Meals on Wheels, she knew she would be lucky to break even on cost. Still, the owner of Dough See Dough Bakery on Main Street in Eureka took on the program as a ministry, and, thanks in part to the generosity of local churches, it’s gaining momentum.

“We had a fundraiser during Easter, and a lot of churches donated and helped us buy a new van,” Schreyer, also known as “Grandma Tina”, said, “The churches help in other ways, too. If there is a client who benefits from it, but can’t afford it, we have churches that will subsidize.”

The van, which ultimately needed to be replaced, was one of two Schreyer acquired from Maple Lawn Health Center when she assumed the non-profit Meals on Wheels program. At the time, Maple Lawn was purchased by Fred Aaron, who wanted to eliminate the program to shift focus at the retirement community primarily to resident care.

Aaron sold the vans to Schreyer for $1 each, and supplies, such as serving utensils and food containers, for around the same price. Because of state funding cuts to the program, and the institutional quality of the meals, interest had waned and Schreyer inherited around 15 clients.

In less than a year, that number has increased to 55 clients, in part due to Schreyer’s reputation for home-style cooking, while providing ample lunches that many people portion into supper meals.

“We serve goodies like grandma used to make,” Schreyer said. “We’ll serve the same meals and the same deserts that we do in the restaurant.”

Those recipes include stuffed green peppers, chicken tetrazzini, bacon cheeseburger macaroni. Each meal is served with sides such as green beans, sweet potatoes, cornbread, and desserts include homemade cinnamon rolls, sweet breads, pies, cakes and pastries.

“In the bakery, for $6.99, customers get a main course, a side and bread,” Schrier said. “For $6.50, Meals on Wheels lunches have six components; an entree, starch, fruit, bread and dessert.”

Some couples order one meal and split it between each other. Some have three meals per week delivered, and portion them for the week. On Fridays, a few clients order to meals to last the weekend.

The hearty servings have helped several clients gain weight, she said. The family of a 94-year-old woman said she gained 10 much-needed pounds. During a recent health checkup, a Dough See Dough cook her doctor said one of his patients had put on 12 pounds because of the meals.

“One person said her mom was only eating summer sausage and Ding Dongs,” she laughed. When elderly folks stop cooking for themselves, they often reach for easy meal alternatives which aren’t always very nutritional.

For some, it’s not the food that’s the highlight, it’s the social interaction with volunteers. Some people may not have visitors for days at time, except for the Meals on Wheels volunteers.

“One of the family members said, ‘By you guys going there we know someone is checking on our parents every day. The food is the added benefit,'” Schreyer said.

Meals on Wheels first served Eureka, Secor and Roanoke. They have recently added Washington, Goodfield and Congerville and would like to add Metamora and Germantown Hills, but Schreyer said she needs more clients.

There are only a handful in most of the towns, she said. They also could use a few more volunteer drivers for the two routes to which Meals on Wheels delivers. She’s trying to spread the word about her homemade meals and their affordability.

Her menu is so varied, no single meal is duplicated in a month’s time, and for those who may not be able to afford it, local churches and individuals are happy to step forward and help. Also, guests at the restaurant may choose to “pay it forward” by paying for a meal while paying for their lunch.

The money is put on an account and used to pay for clients on severely restricted, limited incomes. And it isn’t just elderly people who use the service, she said. Some order meals temporarily while recovering from surgeries and other medical conditions. Others are disabled and unable to cook for themselves.

Anyone interested in ordering Meals on Wheels should contact Dough See Dough Bakery at (309) 467.9338, or by email at schreyer@mtco.com.

“There’s no commitment or contract. Just try a couple of meals and I’m sure you’ll really enjoy the food,” Schryer said. “It’s home cooked meals from scratch delivered to your door.”

— Meals on Wheels serving ‘grandmas goodies’ to Woodford Co. community —