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Author: andrewYLD

  • Gwen & Chuck’s Why – Serving with a Smile

    For Gwen and Chuck, volunteering isn’t just something they do—it’s part of who they are. The Pasco couple has been giving their time to Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels for the past several years, making a difference one meal at a time.

    “We started before COVID at the Richland site, helping package meals,” Gwen recalls. “We took a little break during the pandemic but came back to volunteer in Pasco. It just felt right to serve our community.”

    Every week, Gwen and Chuck arrive at the Meals on Wheels site ready to work. “When we first get here, we help Barb, the site manager, move the tables and set up,” Gwen explains. “Then, I help heat up the vegetables, and Chuck helps set all the tables for lunch.”

    The Pasco site is a gathering place where seniors can sit down and enjoy a hot meal together. “Some days, we have five people eating here. Other days, it could be as many as twelve,” Chuck says. “And we get to know them. That’s the best part.”

    Chuck and Gwen didn’t set out with a particular plan to volunteer at Meals on Wheels—they just knew they wanted to give back. “When I retired, I told Chuck, ‘We’re going to volunteer. We’re not just going to sit at home,’” Gwen says with a laugh. “We were looking for a place where we could really help, and Meals on Wheels was a perfect fit.”

    What keeps them coming back? “The people,” Chuck says without hesitation. “I just enjoy it. Talking with them, joking around. You start to build real relationships.”

    Gwen agrees. “You miss them when they’re not here. And they notice when you’re not here, too. It’s not just about serving meals; it’s about being part of their lives.”Gwen agrees. “You miss them when they’re not here. And they notice when you’re not here, too.

    It’s not just about serving meals; it’s about being part of their lives.”One of their favorite regulars is a man named Al. “He likes to give me a hard time,” Chuck says with a chuckle. “But that’s okay because I give him a hard time right back. He’s a character. We have a lot of fun.”

    For Gwen and Chuck, volunteering at Meals on Wheels is more than just an activity—it’s a source of joy. “It’s so rewarding,” Gwen says. “Helping others makes you happy.”

    Chuck nods. “Volunteering here gives you satisfaction. When you see the appreciation, when someone says thank you, it just makes you feel good.”

    They encourage others—especially couples like them—to give volunteering a try. “A lot of people retire and say, ‘I don’t know what to do with my time,’” Chuck points out. “Well, this is something you can do. And it’s meaningful.”

    “Meals on Wheels is unique because you really get to know the people you’re helping,” Gwen adds. “At other places, you might be behind the scenes, but here, you sit, talk, and connect. It’s special.”

    If you’re looking for a way to give back, meet great people, and bring joy to others, why not take Gwen and Chuck’s advice? “Just try it,” Chuck says. “You might find out you love it as much as we do.”

    Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels is always looking for volunteers to help serve meals, deliver food, and brighten someone’s day. Join Gwen and Chuck in making a difference—one meal, smile, and friendship at a time.

  • Ray’s Why – Finding Purpose, Connection, and Joy for 20 Years

    At 93 years young, Ray isn’t slowing down. With a booming voice, a sharp sense of humor, and a heart full of kindness, he’s been delivering meals and smiles as a Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels volunteer since 2005.

    “I figured, well, what the heck, I was kinda young back then,” Ray chuckles. “Now? I’m gonna be 94! But I keep at it because I enjoy it. I like talking to people, and I know I’m helping.”

    Ray’s journey with Meals on Wheels started after he lost his wife in 2003 and eventually found himself eating lunch at the local senior center. One day, the cook mentioned they needed a driver. Ray figured he had the time, so he signed up. What started as a simple commitment turned into a nearly two-decade passion.

    “I’ve always been a worker. I grew up in a big family, and we all had to pitch in,” Ray explains. “So when I started delivering meals, it felt natural. And it feels good to do something for someone else.”

    Ray’s weekly routine now includes delivering meals to seniors who rely on the service—not just for food but for companionship. “Some of them, they don’t get many visitors. So when I stop by, I take a few minutes to chat,” Ray says. “One lady, she always wants to talk, so I make sure to visit for a bit.”

    Through the years, Ray has seen firsthand how important Meals on Wheels is, especially during tough times like the pandemic. “That was rough,” he recalls. “We couldn’t do hot meals, just frozen ones, and we had to drop them off quick. But we made sure people still got fed.”

    Ray isn’t just a meal delivery driver; he’s a friend, a helper, and, on occasion, a dog-watcher. “One lady has this little dog that runs around while I’m there. Sometimes, I even clean up after him,” he laughs. “But it’s all part of the job.”

    What keeps Ray coming back, year after year? “Because it’s good work,” he says. “It’s an hour of my day, but it means a lot to the people I visit. And at the end of my route, I get a meal too, so it works out.”

    Ray is living proof that giving back has no age limit. And his advice to anyone thinking about volunteering? “Try it. You’ll like it. If you don’t, you know you gave back for an hour. But I think you’ll feel good about it.”

    Meals on Wheels is always looking for more people like Ray—kindhearted volunteers who want to make a difference. If you have an hour to spare and want to bring a little joy (and a hot meal) to someone’s day, join our team.

  • January Newsletter

    With mixed emotions I share that the New Year will bring a new director to
    Meals on Wheels (MOW).

    The opportunity to have served as the program director has truly been a
    pinnacle experience for me professionally and deeply fulfilling personally.
    The care and passion that our staff and volunteers have for MOW’s mission
    and clients is nothing short of inspirational. Couple that with the gratitude
    that our clients regularly express and – to use a holiday analogy – I feel like
    my heart has grown three sizes. I’ve included some photos here of some of
    our December holiday fun.

    Meals on Wheels is a special program, and I am excited to share that I am
    not leaving Senior Life Resources. With the support of SLR’s Executive Director, I am moving into another position that provides greater flexibility. A
    new director will be announced soon.

    Wishing everyone a joyous and blessed New Year!

    Carla Martinez


    Read Full Newsletter in Spanish (PDF)

  • December Newsletter

    We’ve all heard the saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” With all the wonderful things Meals on Wheels has planned for December, the month is certain to fly by!

    To kick off the month, don’t forget that your voice matters and we want to hear from you. Please return completed client surveys by December 1, if you haven’t already done so. Surveys can be mailed to the Meals on Wheels office, given to a delivery driver for home-delivery clients, or submitted in a survey bin at one of our dining sites for congregate diners. Thank you for your feedback!

    Speaking of congregate dining, we have two weeks of festive activities planned this month. During the week of December 11, we’ll distribute amazing holiday gift bags at all dining sites thanks to a new partnership with Lutheran Community Services Northwest and their Santa for Seniors program. The following week will be “ugly sweater” attire, so dig through your wardrobe and bust out a sweater for a chance to win a raffle prize.

    Of course, the Wish List program is back for our home delivery clients thanks to our loving and dedicated team of “elves”. The MOW elves have been hard at work to fill all the special requests. For clients that chose to participate in the program, Wish List gift bags will be delivered the week of December 18.

    And last, but certainly not least, mark your calendars for our traditional holiday menu service, Thursday, December 21.

    Wishing all our clients and volunteers warmth and happiness this month.
    Carla Martinez

  • November Newsletter

    Director’s Update

    Carla Martinez

    November is a special time of thanksgiving and I’m grateful for some very good things in the making at Meals on Wheels (MOW). The MOW elves are busy this month filling wish lists for our home-delivery clients(reminder wish lists due to MOW November 1). This year, we’re excited to offer a new program for congregate diners, Santa for Seniors, thanks to a partnership with Lutheran Community Services Northwest. Stay tuned next month for information on delivery/distribution dates.

    We’re also thankful for a generous grant from Battelle, which operates Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. This month, with Battelle grant funding we will add enhanced translation services, improving our ability to serve more community members.

    Improvement is something we continually aspire to achieve. A critical means to that end is client feedback. Client surveys will be distributed the week of November 13 to all MOW clients. Please take a few minutes to provide your valuable feedback.

    We’ll finish up the month with the delivery of shelf stable emergency meal packs for our home delivery clients, in preparation for the winter months and potential MOW closures. Three-meal packs will be delivered the week of November 27.

    I encourage everyone to take a moment to find something to be thankful for this month.

  • Octobers Newsletter

  • September Newsletter

  • February Newsletter

  • January Newsletter

    Happy New Year! When I set 2023 as my retirement year, it seemed impossibly far off, but now the time has come for a big change in my life. People who know me well are unsurprised to learn that I’ve chosen 2/3/23 as my retirement date. I love quirky numbers, oddball expressions, and words of my own making (which I would call vocabularization in Kristi-speak.)

    Although I’m very much looking forward to the next phase of my life as a retiree, I can already see how much I’ll miss Meals on Wheels. I can say for certain that I won’t miss the long hours & the stress, the seemingly never-ending paperwork, or the worries about funding and grant-writing. However, the list of things I’ll miss is far longer than those items I’m relieved to abandon. Without question, the #1 on my “Things-I’ll-Miss-List” is the wonderful people I’ve had the honor to know through Meals on Wheels:

    Our clients! I’ve enjoyed meeting and sustaining friendships with so many folks over my nearly 15 years here, and each of them holds a special place in my heart. When my kids were young, they loved hearing about the wonderful, extraordinary, unusual, and fun clients I met during home visits, and I think of those visits as probably the highlight of my career.

    Our volunteers! With about 500 volunteers helping us fulfill our mission every year, I certainly have not met all the volunteers. However, every day I witness their dedication, and I know how important they become in the lives of our seniors (& our staff!). I truly cannot imagine how Meals on Wheels would function without the contribution of these priceless volunteers, from the folks who help prepare and pack the food, to the volunteers who organize, deliver, & serve the meals, to our administrative volunteers, to our Advisory Council and Board of Directors who help guide our agency.

    Our staff! People outside our agency cannot possibly know what amazing people work at Meals on Wheels. Our staff is incredibly talented and capable; they would be a success at any business, but they choose to work here and to stick with us because they are committed to our seniors. I am eternally grateful for their support and hard work. Without exception, our staff make their overwhelmingly difficult jobs look easy, and they do so with good humor and positivity.

    As I close out my final month or so with Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels and my final newsletter update, I want to acknowledge what an honor & privilege it has been to serve our seniors and our community. Even on my most challenging and frightful work days, there has never been a time when I haven’t been sincerely proud to work for our agency and proud of the work we accomplish. I’m grateful to know that this important work will successfully continue long after my departure, prepared for the day when I need the service.

  • December Newsletter

    Here we are, already nearly at the end of another year! I look forward to enjoying Christmas with family, but I’m already looking ahead to 2023. As a person who loves change and embraces new things, I look forward to the beginning of every new day, week, and year as the start of something fun and exciting. People who receive emails from me will attest that I frequently end my message with Happy Wednesday, or Happy New Week (on Mondays), or Happy New Month. And now we’re almost ready for a new year!

    Like every year, there may be changes big or small ahead of us in 2023, and Meals on Wheels will be experiencing lots of fun, new things, just one of which is a change in our leadership. Cara Hernandez is currently working as our Associate Meals on Wheels Director, learning how and why we currently do things the way we do. In February, Cara will assume full responsibility as the new Director of Nutrition Services. She brings wonderful energy, ideas, and common sense to the position, and we are certain that she will lead the program to a great successes in the future. She’s already looking ahead for ways to enhance and improve service for our seniors and our community.

    As we look forward to new changes, I also think it’s important to thank our wonderful staff and volunteers who have accomplished so much in 2022. By the end of 2022, we will have served about 210,000 meals to 2,000 seniors! Every one of those meals has been prepared and packaged in our Meals on Wheels central kitchen, an incredibly busy place! Our entire program is filled with busy, hard-working folks who all dedicate their time and energy to serving seniors, in a variety of capacities, performing a an overflowing sleighful of tasks:

    • Paperwork has to be completed for every client, whether they eat at a dining center or have their meals delivered to their homes.
    • Volunteers have to go through background checks and orientations.
    • Administrators write grant requests and reports.
    • Our Human Resources and Finance teams make sure that staff gets paid and that we follow all the boring rules.
    • Volunteers help with nearly every phase of meal preparation, service, & delivery.

    As I finish my final December as a Meals on Wheels employee and look ahead to life changes, I want to wish everyone in our Meals on Wheels family a new year filled with happiness, good health, and wonderful changes. Happy Holidays!