When the Door Goes Unanswered

As a gerontologist, I’ve always believed that aging with dignity means more than just staying healthy—it means staying connected and having the opportunity to age in place.

I joined Meals on Wheels Yolo County in February 2020, just one month before the world shut down. At that time, we were serving just under ~350 seniors. Now, we’re serving over 1,000 seniors countywide. A 250% uplift. Every meal is more than just food—it's a sign that someone cares, that someone is still watching out for them.

WHEN THE DOOR GOES UNANSWERED:

About a year into my time at MOW Yolo, we had a senior on our program who called our office every single day. Sometimes two, three, even four times a day—just to talk. He wasn’t always calling about his meals, or about needing to cancel a delivery, he just needed connection. And we always answered.

Then, one day… the phone didn’t ring.

And that same day, he didn’t answer his door for his meal.

We knew immediately—something was wrong. This was not like him. I immediately reached out to his emergency contact. And just like that, our worst fear was confirmed: he had passed away.

Because we knew his routine—because we knew him—we noticed he was missing, fast. That’s the power of our program. Meals are just the beginning. It’s the daily check-ins, the familiar faces, the conversations on porches and over the phone. That’s what makes this work life-saving.

Our volunteers have many stories like this, too. Stories where a knock at the door went unanswered—and because someone noticed, because someone cared, we were able to step in and help. Our mission nourishes—but it also protects. It connects. It saves lives.

But right now, that mission is at risk

Funding is at risk. One-time Pandemic-era dollars have sunsetted, and proposed cuts to Older Americans Act funding threaten our ability to sustain this essential work. These aren’t just budget lines. They’re meals. They’re wellness checks. They’re lives.

That’s why I’m asking for your support this Big Day of Giving:

• $10 provides a meal and a wellness check for a senior in Yolo County.
• $50 feeds and checks in on that senior for a full week.
• $200 helps ensure that the same senior stays safe, fed, and connected for a full month.

Your donation is more than charity. It’s a declaration: that every life matters, every senior deserves the chance to age in place, and community is something we build together.

From my heart, thank you for supporting this mission.

💚Alexa