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SERVICE WITH A SMILE

The Times Reporter - 4/8/2018

DOVER

Mobile Meals is going to lose a dedicated volunteer who has worked with the nonprofit program that delivers food to people who are bedridden, disabled, aged or sick.

But Mobile Meals Administrator Kim Harmon understands why Caden Schneider of Bolivar will have to quit.

"He'll be going to kindergarten next school year, so this is his last year with us," Harmon told The Times-Reporter in an email. "Caden is now 5, and has volunteered with his dad, Curt Schneider, since he was 3. The volunteers love seeing him!"

Curt said he had his son help with deliveries because he wanted to expose him to helping others, appreciating the elderly and others in need.

"Caden is a big help with opening doors, carrying the bag with the cold items in it, while dad carries the hot container of food," Harmon wrote. "Caden learned the route, keeping dad on track in case he missed a turn.

Quite a few times, they turned around on Caden's request due to Curt missing a stop."

The duo has served routes in Dover and Bolivar.

Harmon is impressed with Caden.

"Caden is a bright, energetic and charming young man, who really enjoys helping out," she said. "He carries in one of the empty coolers by himself, and offers to help carry things when needed.

"He puts a smile on the faces of everyone he meets.

He's been with us since he was 3, so he is like family to us now. We will miss him when he starts school next year, but we are looking forward to him coming to see us during breaks.

"Learning to give back at an early age is something he will never forget. The positive impact he has on our clients with his smile and their caring nature toward him is a bond that can last a lifetime through memories."

Among Caden's fans are Waldine, who said that having the boy visit with his father always brightened her day.

"He was so cute!" she said.

Another client, William, said he always enjoyed it when Caden came with his father because he always had a smile on his face.

The Times-Reporter is not giving the clients' last names and hometowns because of their advanced ages.

Caden remembered two favorite people on the routes who paid extra attention to him and made him smile.

"He likes to meet the people and the treats that several of the clients would give him when he delivered each week," Harmon said.

"He likes coming into the Mobile Meals office also, where there is a basket of goodies."

As a plus, Caden and Curt got to eat lunch in the hospital cafeteria.

Caden has two half-sisters, Camryn and Casey, and is close with his grandparents, Deb and Joe Zeglen.

Mobile Meals of Dover-New Philadelphia, Inc., is marking its 45th year, having started in March 1973.

It is located in Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital, but is not affiliated with the hospital. It receives no government funding.

The service delivers two meals a day in New Philadelphia, Dover, Strasburg, Sugarcreek and Bolivar.

Lunchtime deliveries include a hot meal and a lighter meal of soup or a salad with a sandwich, fruit and dessert.

Delivery is available to those temporarily unable to prepare adequate meals for themselves.

Permanent service is available to those who would be unable to continue to live on their own without the service.

Mobile Meals has the capacity to serve new clients in the Sugarcreek and Strasburg areas, as well as a few openings in the north end of Dover and Bolivar, according to Harmon.

For more information, call 330-364-0870 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Monday through Friday.

Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.

On Twitter: @nmolnarTR

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