Landis Howell brings meal, visit - Princeton News Leader, NC

The Stevens Chapel Road area resident comes to Princeton every Thursday about 11:30 and loads up meals for five senior citizens, and spends about an hour on his route.

Meals on Wheels is operated through the Princeton Senior Center and the other senior centers across the county, part of the Johnston County Council on Aging.

Mr. Howell became the regular Thursday delivery volunteer three years ago this week. He took over from News Leader Staff Writer Greg Tobolski, who passed away suddenly.

News Leader Publisher Barry Merrill is also a past volunteer with Meals on Wheels at the Princeton Senior Center, and other News Leader staffers have served with the program at other towns in our circulation areas.

Mr. Howell had been previously volunteering on Monday with three other volunteers, who shared the responsibilities. That kind of sharing of the load continues, as they will sometimes need to be off on their days to go to doctor’s appointments or other necessities, and they freely call on one another to switch around their delivery days.

While he is just delivering five meals now, the numbers served has been as high as a dozen in the Princeton area. Over the years, some of those served have gone to nursing homes, and some have passed away. One lady currently being served has improved and after having been in a nursing home for some time, is back home and back on the route.

While many meal recipients have family in the area, often those family members work during the day. Although the recipients may have limited mobility, it is not practical for them to fix their own meals. Meals on Wheels offers hot meals prepared by the staff at Johnston Memorial Hospital and sent to the Senior Center each day for lunch. Those who can, come to the Senior Center, but those who cannot can be served through Meals on Wheels.

If a family wants to have their loved one included on the route, they should make an application to the Senior Center, 412 West Third St. They can also call Betty Lee at the Johnston County Council on Aging for questions at 934-6066.

Mr. Howell became interested in Meals on Wheels when some of the members of his church, Stevens Chapel Baptist Church, talked about the program. While the serving is fulfilling, there is a family connection. His aunt and mother-in-law are frequent visitors to the Senior Center. It may be that he is one of the few males who come out to the Senior Center, and he enjoys the extra attention that he gets. “All theses girls are fun to be with,” he says.

He also appreciates the opportunity to serve. “I thank the Good Lord I am able.”

Mr. Howell is a 68 year old Princeton area native, growing up in the Progressive Church Road area. Forty-six years ago he married Caroline Oliver. They have two children, Danny Howell, who lives in the Micro-Kenly area, and a daughter, Tevnan Keller, who also lives in the Brogden area.

He is a retired Marine Corps veteran, and retired from Guy C. Lee building materials, but he stays busy a couple of days a week, helping park cars at Aycock Auto Auction on Monday and Thursday afternoons when they have an auction.

While every day of the week for meals on Wheels is covered by a regular volunteer, the Senior Center would welcome anyone who could volunteer their time on short notice when a regular volunteer was unable to come, rather than having to switch the regulars around. If you are interested in volunteering your time, call Ms. Braswell at 936-2184.

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Wayne Wilson News Leader
113 N. Wilson St., PO Box 158,
Fremont, NC 27830
(919) 242-6301 •
Fax (919) 936-2065

Princeton News Leader
119 W. Edwards St.,
Princeton, North Carolina 27569
(919) 936-9891 •
Fax (919) 936-2065

Headlines

Landis Howell brings a hot meal, visit to seniors

Wayne Wilson News Leader 113 N. Wilson St., PO Box 158, Fremont, NC 27830 (919) 242-6301 • Fax (919) 936-2065

Wayne Wilson News Leader
113 N. Wilson St., PO Box 158,
Fremont, NC 27830
(919) 242-6301 •
Fax (919) 936-2065