As longtime Great Bend volunteer, Dale Hogg melds his passions for cycling and giving back to his community by running his Meals on Wheels of Barton County route on his bicycle, Now, be it on two wheels or four, he encourages others to participate in this valuable service.
It takes roughly 75 volunteers a month to deliver 1,741 meals in Great Bend, Hoisington and Ellinwood, said Linn Hogg, director of Volunteers in Action of Central Kansas, the agency that coordinates the program. “And many of our volunteers help deliver more than one day a week to get it all done.”
And there is a need., “We are always needing more volunteers,” she said.
As for Dale, every Wednesday, he tosses on a backpack emblazoned with a gold MOW decal, straddles his 35-year-old pedal-powered stead and delivers fresh, warm meals to seven recipients on the west side of town. He covers the roughly six-mile circuit from picking up the food at the Great Bend Senior Center to making his last stop in about an hour.
“I get some funny looks,” he said. “I’ve been told I’m either crazy or bored. This definitely isn’t boring, but I may be a tad nuts.”
Now, after a few weeks of bike deliveries, the folks on his route are getting used to the idea.
“I saw your bike and figured it was Meals on Wheels,” one recipient said.
“There’s my energetic guy,” said another.
“One of my people said she mentioned me to her domino-playing friends who asked her how it worked,” Dale said. “Honestly, the logistics took some time to solve.”
The solution was a large, waterproof, insulated pack designed for camping. He pedals to the Senior Center, transfers the plastic-wrapped meal trays, carefully stacking them, then puts any sides (rolls, desserts) into a small thermal lunch pouch on top, slings the bag over his shoulders, mounts up, and takes off down the street.
As with any bike adventure, be it MOW or Biking Across Kansas, there are several planning considerations, he said. He watches the weather forecast for temperatures, rain and wind conditions to plan his attire and timing.
Should a flat tire be a problem, he has other bikes to ride. And, there may also be occasions when his pickup is the better option.
“Sure, I do this by bike because any time you can ride a bike is a good time,” he said, adding he loves being outdoors. But, “frankly, gas being about $4 per gallon makes this even more appealing.”
However, there is a more important side to this, he said.
“I am blessed to be able to ride a bike and have the freedom to get out and exercise,” he said. “Many of those to whom I deliver can’t even leave their homes and I may be the only person they see all day.”
This is an often-overlooked facet of MOW, Linn said.
“Yes, we provide meals to needy home-bound seniors, but it is much more than that,” she said. “The volunteers are also making wellness checks on these individuals, and they have even saved people’s lives.”
As for her husband, Dale, Linn does question his sanity.
About Volunteers in Action of Central Kansas
Volunteers in Action of Central Kansas (VIA) is a Points of Light Service Enterprise certified organization that bridges the gap between community needs and local volunteer resources. Sponsored by Barton Community College, VIA supports a robust network of volunteers across Barton and Pawnee counties to combat food insecurity, improve access to medical care, and provide essential community services. By hosting critical initiatives like Meals on Wheels and RSVP Medical Transportation, and by offering a centralized digital platform to track and match volunteer talent, VIA enhances the capacity of local non-profits and drives meaningful regional impact. Discover how to get involved by calling 620-792-1614 or by visiting them at 1025 Main Street in Great Bend.