BRUNSWICK

The days have grown short, dark and cold as the winter season begins to settle in.

It is a very lonely time of year for some as the holidays approach, so Mt. Ararat Middle School and Brunswick High School students have worked to put some color and cheer into the lives of homebound residents in the Brunswick area.

The idea came about by accident. Mt. Ararat Middle School Ambassadors held a fundraiser two years ago by selling poinsettias. Teacher Marybeth Latti said several flowers were never picked up, so before Christmas break the poinsettias were given to the Meals on Wheels program and were very well received.

Last year, Latti gave the option for people to donate a flower to Meals on Wheels and got about 50. This year, the fundraiser drew 96 flowers and Brunswick High School helped get additional donations to ensure all homebound seniors get a flower. There are 133 meal recipients in Sagadahoc County, Brunswick and Harpswell.

Mt. Ararat Middle School Ambassadors loaded the poinsettias into a van Thursday night for delivery on Friday.

Spectrum Generations administers Meals on Wheels, a national program of assistance to homebound people, primarily over 60, who are at some level of nutritional risk. The program provides up to five nutritious meals per week, a mix of hot and frozen dishes delivered to clients’ homes by a volunteer driver.

Casey Henson, nutrition and volunteer coordinator for Spectrum Generations Aging and Disabilities Resource Center in Brunswick, made deliveries on one of the Brunswick routes Friday. Her car was loaded with trays of food and red poinsettias.

As she delivered meals, she surprised residents with a poinsettia.

“It’s just very nice to have something on my table for the holiday,” said Kelli Magaw. “It’s very nice that students care about the elderly and the disabled.

“Getting the meals are very helpful, especially in the winter when I can’t get out a lot,” Magaw continued. “And especially when I have chronic pain.”

Connie Gibson said her daughter called for Meals on Wheels on her behalf because she was starving, unable to get her own food. She had lost 20 pounds. She said Friday she feels much better and is eating every day. Meals on Wheels is a wonderful program, she said.

“Food is definitely it,” she said.

Henson said the Brunswick-based Meals on Wheels program has more people than ever receiving food, and has received a ton of referrals from partner agencies. Last year at this time there was a waiting list, and through fundraising and donations, the organization has worked hard to avoid any more waiting lists.

Spectrum Generations also has the AniMeals program that delivers pet food to seniors and disabled adults that receive Meals on Wheels. The program serves more than 120 pets, so their owners aren’t sacrificing their own food by feeding it to their pets.

People can donate to the program by making checks out to Spectrum Generations and put Meals on Wheels in the memo line. The checks can be mailed to Spectrum Generations, 35 Union St., Brunswick, ME 04011.

Program information

• What is Meals on Wheels? A national program of assistance to homebound people, primarily over 60, who are at some level of nutrition risk.

• What does this service provide? Five nutritious meals per week, two hot and three frozen, delivered to your home by a Meals on Wheels volunteer driver.

• How much does it cost? There is no cost, though recipients can make contributions. The suggested donation is $4 per meal.

• How do you apply? For people in Sagadahoc County, Harpswell and Brunswick, visit the Southern Midcoast Aging and Disabilities Resource Center at 35 Union St., Brunswick, or call (207) 729-0475.

• For more information, call 1-800-639-1553 or visit spectrumgenerations.org.