Palm Tran Connection's pandemic meal service provided long-term nutrition to its senior riders

As the threat of COVID-19 reached South Florida, Palm Tran Connection, the region’s paratransit provider, implemented multiple new practices to better fit the needs of the community. Through careful planning and collaboration with the Palm Beach County Department of Community Services, Palm Tran set the standard for other transportation agencies around the country by delivering meals to senior riders.

When Senior Centers closed in March 2020, participants in the Congregate Meal Program were sent home with a two-week supply of non-perishable food items. As the pandemic continued, there needed to be a different solution for providing long-term nutrition. In early April, Palm Tran Connection started picking up and delivering shelf stable meals three times per week.

“Instead of transporting people, you’re transporting meals and bringing comfort to may who have been stuck at home,” said Chad Hockman, Palm Tran’s senior manager of Paratransit.

Passengers who became home-bound during the pandemic, said they found comfort by still being able to interact with the usual person who would drive them to their destinations. Palm Tran Connection operates through a contract with MV Transportation, Inc. and First Transit to deliver paratransit service to the community. These partnerships allowed the program to grow in the area and gain prestige.

“I’m very proud that we are one of the first divisions to do the food supply route,” said Jeanie Chrisman, the general manager of MV Transportation, Inc.

Palm Tran Connection began picking up and delivering fresh and prepared perishable meals from the Mid-County Senior Center and North County Senior Center twice a week. To meet the demands, Hockman said there are ten routes each Tuesday and Thursday dedicated to completing food trips.

“We are proud to work hand-in-hand with our paratransit provider, MV Transportation, to serve our community in this time of need,” Clinton B. Forbes, the Palm Tran executive director said. “Palm Tran Connection has worked throughout the emergency to complete essential trips in addition to food deliveries while ensuring social distancing.”

Positive feedback from meal recipients spread quickly through the month of April and the amount of seniors requesting assistance increased. On a single day in May, Connection vehicle operators made 249 trips to deliver food. Essential trips also continued on a daily basis to carry seniors to dialysis, doctor’s appointments and other needs.

“Our drivers are first responders and heroes in their own right,” Chrisman said. “Even with masks and everything, they’re still taking a risk and they’re so brave to keep coming to work every day.”

From increased cleaning protocols to changed route schedules and meal delivery, protecting the safety and well-being of all passengers was the priority. Palm Tran’s mission is to provide access to opportunity for everyone; safely, efficiently and courteously.