Delivering Food, Friendship to Senior Citizens

Irving and Helene and Franklin and Dorothy all know it’s Friday. They can set their clock by Vikki Sanhamel, who knocks on their door every week with a hot meal, a smile and a simple question: “How you doin’ today?”

Sanhamel volunteers for the Organization for the Needs of the Elderly, or ONE, a nonprofit group that delivers 200 hot meals daily to homebound seniors in the San Fernando Valley.

“I can relate,” the 44-year-old Reseda resident said, remembering months when she was homebound with back problems.

Her mother took care of her and her two teenage children. Now she wants to take care of others.

On a recent Friday, Sanhamel brought chicken Veracruz, rice, stewed tomatoes and cake to the 14 folks on her route. For some, she will be the only person they see all day.

“They tell me ‘Thank you--it means everything to me that you come.’ And I tell them, ‘I’m getting something out of this too,’ ” she said.

Sanhamel started delivering the meals--prepared by Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in Sylmar and provided based on one’s ability to pay--for ONE three years ago to fulfill a commitment for a national charity. She enjoyed the work so much she’s stuck with it. Because her back problems delayed her schooling in court reporting for a year, Sanhamel understands numbing aches, shooting pains and feelings of helplessness.

Not only does she bring food, she helps those on her Reseda route in other ways: changing a light bulb, placing a telephone call, even sitting for a spell for potato pancakes.

Last spring, she was the ear that 82-year-old Franklin needed. He was upset about the Columbine high school shootings. Today she listens as Dorothy, in her 70s, details troubles with her landlord. And she’s promised Helene--whom she’s met only once before--she’ll scour stores for a special heating pad. Sanhamel fills in when family can’t.

“You look better than you did last week,” she tells Helene, who will turn 84 on Valentine’s Day.

Indeed, Helene looks fresh in blue and white flannel pajamas. She has a slight curl in her gray hair.

“Looks like you’ve been up and around,” Sanhamel said, peeking into Helene’s tidy apartment.

Sanhamel’s quick visits not only provide a nutritious meal but a check into the physical and emotional state of the seniors on her route. Most are recuperating from surgery or just can’t get around. Some have simply lost interest in preparing and eating food. Relatives are scattered. Without ONE’s daily visits, many of these seniors might starve from hunger or loneliness or both.

“Vikki is very in tune with people and how they are doing,” said Sandra Matthews, a director with the Van Nuys-based organization. “If something comes up, we can check it out. We are fortunate to have her on our team. We need more people like her.”

*

Sanhamel’s morning is a delicate mix of compassion and speed. Her 10-mile route must be delivered by noon in time for lunch. Even during the fierce El Nino storms a couple of years ago, she delivered on her commitment.

“She comes when it’s hot, windy, whenever,” said Andrew, 79, who greeted Sanhamel at the door in a plaid bathrobe.

“Just like the mailman,” Sanhamel said with a laugh.

Over the years, some folks have dropped off her route because they’ve gotten well or moved away. Once in a while, one will pass away.

Like Marie, whose death just weeks ago still makes Sanhamel’s eyes well with tears.

Marie was the last stop on her route, which gave them the chance to spend a little more time together poring over yellowed photos and talking. Marie liked to reminisce about her college days at UCLA or about when she was a schoolteacher.

“People come and go,” Sanhamel said, “but you never forget them.”

For more information, call ONE at (818) 705-2345.

Personal Best is a weekly profile of an ordinary person who does extraordinary things. Please send suggestions on prospective candidates to Personal Best, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Or fax them to (818) 772-3338. Or e-mail them to valley.news@latimes.com.