Debbe's Big Day of Giving

I have been volunteering 1-2 days a week for the last 2+ years for the Meals on Wheels program covering Sacramento County as a route driver and participating in outreach events.  Because of this, I have come to realize just how vitally important the service is to our seniors in need.  This is a cause I TRULY believe in which is why I'm asking for your generosity.  I've seen the small miracles day in and out by just delivering a hot meal to our seniors and it’s so incredibly heartwarming.

 While every Meals on Wheels in the U.S. is different, our 14-year-old private non-profit is volunteer-driven but with over 450,000 meals being served to nearly 4100 seniors last year alone!  A surprising fact to most is that we also deliver meals to pets.  Many of our seniors have dogs and cats and are in need of food for their furry friends which we generously deliver to our participants.

 I didn't realize there were four dynamic components to the Meals on Wheels program but this will probably surprise you too:

1. Home delivered meals for seniors who are aged 60+ and primarily home-bound (about 1500 folks at a time).
2. 17 community cafes throughout Sacramento County where seniors can have lunch and socialize. Community cafes are in community centers, churches, senior apartments, etc.
3. A Restaurant Program - 4 restaurants in the County where seniors can have a nutritious meal. 
4. AniMeals pet food program

You might have a senior in your life now who is a Meals on Wheels participant or had a family member in the past receive that hot meal around noontime 5 days a week.  You may also know that sometimes the volunteer or staff who delivers the meal is the only listening ear for a senior in a day or possibly a week. That’s why we say we deliver more than a meal -- it’s the smile and conversation that’s also so very important -- a comforting wellness check-in.

At the heart, Meals on Wheels is here to make sure no senior goes hungry in Sacramento County. 

Thanks a million everyone for taking the time to read this and to contribute!

Debbe Roberts Bowles