Meals On Wheels

Our Mission Each week of the year, Monday through Friday, we provide a hot and a cold meal to homebound citizens in the lower northwest portion of the city, who are elderly, frail, disabled, blind, malnourished, convalescing, or unable to prepare their own meals.

A Typical Day The meals are prepared by Sodexho Dining Services at St. Mary’s Court and delivered to the church in insulated containers by 9:45 a.m.. The meals are then transferred by us to private vehicles for delivery by our volunteer drivers and visitors from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to 35 clients. Sometimes our visitor will be the only person the client will see during the day.

One of our grateful clients sent us the following Christmas greeting: To my Meals on Wheels Family: I have been very pleased with your service. I am praying that all of you will arrive to your destination safely. Thank God for people like you. May God bless everyone and family.

Volunteer Staff We salute the ”Guardian Angels” from NYAPC for their faithful service through the year. Some of them serve full time, while others are part time or occasional substitutes. Our Daily Coordinators are Frances Gray, Gerald Moody, and Margaret Myers. Our Dispatcher is Margaret Myers. Our Drivers and Visitors are Jay Davenport, Carl Dees, Barbara Dornan, Elizabeth DuMez, Thomas Dunlap, Dane Hyde, Miriam Lust, Jack Mathison, William McAfee, Jenean McKay, Kelsay Meek, Gerald Moody, Nathan Moon, Margaret Myers, Eleanor Robins, John Schultheis, Joyce and Alan Schuman, Fritz von Fleckenstein, James and Sonia Wall.

Finances Contributions were received from the Frank M. Ewing Foundation, the Estate of Peg Slevin, a former M.O.W. visitor, the Combined Federal Campaign, and private donors. These monies help to defray the cost of the food.and overhead expenses, as well as provide subsidies for those persons with special financial needs.

35th Anniversary Celebration On September 9, 2006, a Gala 35th Anniversary Luncheon was held in Peter Marshall Hall. Following the welcoming remarks by Pastor Roger Gench and a brief history of the program by Dr. Jack McClendon, all the volunteers were individually introduced. A special certificate of appreciation was presented to Margaret Myers for her multiple roles as Dispatcher, Daily Coordinator, Driver, Visitor, and Recruiter.

A handsome bronze plaque commemorating the generous bequest from the Estate of Mrs. Vassilia C. Boyles, a former MOW client, was unveiled by Leonora Marquis and now hangs in the Entryway to the church on the New York Avenue side.

Major Concern Despite our stable financial condition, we are in desperate need of drivers and visitors who can give just two hours a day from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. once a week, twice a month, or even as an occasional substitute. Thank you for helping us reach out with God’s love to those in need.

-- Frances L. Gray, Coordinator