Volunteer Stories

In 2011, after retiring, I got involved as a Meals on Wheels volunteer. My wife was already a volunteer for Interfaith Food Shuttle.  One day a week, I volunteer to pack the meals and deliver to clients at home.  Meals on Wheels of Wake County is a good cause and has a great staff and volunteers.  The best experience is meeting the clients and getting to know them over time, building relationships.  As a volunteer, I have yet to meet a sourpuss!  The clients are very grateful and also independent-minded.

 

 

 

 

Five years ago, I first became a volunteer at Meals on Wheels after a friend invited me. Since then, I have volunteered at the Garner Senior Center MOW Congregate site, helping serve meals, ordering supplies, and helping out however I can. For me, I love walking in the door with a smile, hugging everyone and love the blessings these folks give to me. Sometimes, my hug was the only one they received that day since many of them live alone. In the past five years, I have met, loved and hugged so many, some have passed, from professors, pastors, nurses, veterans, but they were like family.
What I like best about volunteering is serving and socializing with residents. I like knowing they are eating at least one good meal a day. There are also times we play bingo on Thursdays and host potluck parties on the holidays. One time, I was in an auto accident which prevented me from serving at Garner, the congregation sent me cards and showed their love.

If you want to volunteer, I say “Do It”, you will get an awesome blessing and feeling just knowing you are serving someone’s mom or dad, someone that is lonely, it will truly brighten your day!  There is always someone you can bless, it can change your whole outlook.
 

 

 

I first started as a Meals on Wheels of Wake County volunteer in 2000.  My wife and I delivered meals together for six years until she had to stop in 2006 due to an injury at home.  I decided to volunteer after I observed my father delivering meals after he retired and that’s what I decided to do as well.
I volunteer out of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in North Raleigh, delivering meals every week.   The reason I volunteer is the joy I feel when people share their appreciation and successes with me.  There is a good feeling visiting with people every week and knowing that I am the only person they see all day.  I deliver meals because I love seeing the smiles and the warm words from the people I meet.  I also volunteer to deliver meals because it inspires me to do more.  The older adults on my route are very appreciative of the meals.  Perhaps the socialization is the best part as I spend as much time as possible with each client.  
There are several residents that have moved me over the years.  One Client, Ms. V, to whom I delivered meals for over 12 years, she had significant health issues, but was always concerned about how I was doing. She always offered me a bottle of water so that I could remain hydrated.  There was Ms. W, with cancer, who was pursuing a Wake Tech medical certificate, once she received her certificate, she proudly displayed it to me when I delivered her next meal.   Then there was Mr. H, who cared for his wife of 65 years with Alzheimer’s, and had several health issues of his own.  After his wife passed, I developed a close relationships with Mr. H, and our visits are very long.  In spite of the problems he faces, he has a very positive outlook on life.  He is a true inspiration to me.
Finally, I volunteer and deliver meals because it’s the right thing to do, providing food to people in need.  It just doesn’t get any more basic than that!  If you’re thinking about volunteering for Meals on Wheels, I’d like to say to you, Come on in- the water’s great!