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Author: CourtneyM

  • Ameera’s Why – Paying it Forward

    For Ameera, volunteering with Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels isn’t just about delivering food, it’s about building a community. Since the summer of 2021, she has dedicated her Fridays to ensuring local seniors receive nutritious meals and meaningful human connections.

    “I first heard about Meals on Wheels from a flyer in my community,” Ameera recalls. “I saw they needed volunteers, and I thought it was a great opportunity, not just for me, but for my high school-aged son as well. I told him, ‘We’re going to do this together.’”

    Initially, Ameera was an on-call driver, filling in whenever needed. Eventually, she committed to a regular Friday route, delivering meals to seniors at a local retirement home. “I usually deliver between 12 and 16 meals,” she explains. “But it’s more than just handing over food. I take a moment to check in with each person, ask about their day, and share a little conversation. Those small interactions mean so much.”

    For Ameera, volunteering is deeply rooted in her belief that giving back is a responsibility. “I do believe there’s a moral obligation in any society. If you have the capacity to help, you should,” she says. “This opportunity came my way, and I had the time. Plus, older adults are my people. I love spending time with them.”

    But what started as a way to give back has become something that fills her own heart. “The team at Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels is amazing, and even though our interactions are brief, we all share the same ‘why.’ We believe in what we’re doing,” Ameera says. “And honestly, volunteering fills my cup. There’s something really special about knowing you’re making a difference.”

    Ameera recognizes that every volunteer’s service can have a much deeper impact on the community being served. “I delivered meals to a husband and wife for months. Then, one day, the husband passed away. It meant a lot to know that he had a meal before he passed away. I was able to deliver that meal for them, in the comfort of their own home, knowing they were well taken care of.” Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels isn’t just about food, it’s about dignity, comfort, and care.

    Ameera’s passion for giving back has extended beyond her son. Her eight-year-old daughter now joins her on deliveries when school is out. “There’s something magical about the connection between children and older adults,” she says with a smile. “Some of the ladies even set aside little goodie bags for my daughter. It’s so heartwarming to see that bond.”

    For those considering volunteering, Ameera offers simple but powerful advice: “You’re not just helping others, you’re growing yourself. There’s a deep sense of fulfillment in giving back. And at the end of the day, we all rely on our community. If you have the time and ability to help, why not do it?”

    Join Ameera and many others in making a real difference. Volunteer with Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels today and help ensure that no senior goes hungry or feels forgotten. A few hours of your time can change lives—including your own.

  • Marilyn’s Why – Cooking Up Kindness

    Since February 2021, Marilyn has been a dedicated volunteer at Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels, giving her time and heart to a meaningful cause. With her passion for helping others, she’s become an essential part of the team, supporting both the kitchen and delivery shifts while making a big difference in the lives of those she serves.

    When Marilyn first joined during the height of the pandemic, the need for volunteers was greater than ever. During COVID, when dining sites couldn’t remain open for seniors to enjoy their mid-day meal, Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels operated a contactless drive-thru where clients could pick up their meals to go. “There was a huge gap, especially with retirees who couldn’t volunteer due to health reasons,” she shares. “I started packaging hot and cold meals, sometimes picking up extra shifts to help wherever needed.” From there, her role evolved, and soon, she was helping with frozen meals and assisting at the drive-thru, where clients could pick up their meals safely. “It was a great time for people to be social, even if just for a moment, and I loved seeing their faces light up,” Marilyn recalls fondly.

    However, it was delivering meals to those who couldn’t make it to the drive-thru that truly connected her to the community. “The clients look forward to the visits. One lady would always show me her garden and talk about her plans for the spring,” she says with a smile. “I remember she was 96, but her spirit was amazing. Those little moments made me realize just how important these connections are.”

    Marilyn’s dedication goes beyond simply delivering meals. Having worked in social services before retiring, she knows firsthand the power of human connection. “I retired to care for my special-needs son. Over the years, I saw so many people go beyond their job descriptions to help him,” she shares. “That experience left me wanting to give back and serve others.”

    Volunteering at Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels gave Marilyn the perfect opportunity to do just that. “There’s always a need, and it’s just part of who I am to serve,” she says. “I love knowing that, even if it’s just delivering a meal or chatting with someone, I’m making a difference in their day.”

    It’s not just the clients that have left an impact on Marilyn, either. The people she volunteers with have become lifelong friends. “We call ourselves the ‘Golden Girls’—five of us who work together on Tuesdays. We’re like family now. If it weren’t for Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels, I never would have met these amazing women. We do life together,” she beams.

    Marilyn’s connection to the clients and her fellow volunteers has kept her coming back week after week. “There’s always a need, and I can’t ignore it,” she says with passion. “Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels makes it easy to volunteer. The flexibility is incredible. Life happens, and you can always adjust your schedule. But the sense of purpose, of knowing you’re doing something that truly matters, keeps you coming back.”

    For anyone unsure about volunteering, Marilyn has this to say: “You won’t regret it! It’s fun and fulfilling, and you’ll meet incredible people along the way. You’re not just delivering meals; you’re sharing moments, laughter, and love with people who need it most.”

    Marilyn’s story shows that volunteering isn’t just about giving, it’s about receiving too. The joy and connection she experiences make it clear that one person can truly make a difference.

    Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Like Marilyn, you can give your time and help others in need. Join the Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels team and experience the fulfillment that comes from serving others. Become a volunteer today!

  • Josie & Wright’s Why – Creating Community

    When Josie and Wright retired, Josie nearly six years ago and Wright coming up on 15, they asked themselves an important question: “What are we going to do now?” Both had spent years raising a large family, tending gardens, and sharing their love for cooking and entertaining. They wanted to find a way to give back to their community, and Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels turned out to be the perfect fit.

    “This was our first place to volunteer together, and we’ve felt at home ever since we walked in the door,” Wright said. “I’m able, I’m willing, and there’s always a need for volunteers.”

    Josie and Wright have filled nearly every volunteer role under the sun with Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels. Josie and Wright started in the cafeteria, helping package meals, while Wright also pitched in with washing dishes. They even took on the responsibility of maintaining the facility’s gardens, bringing life back to flower beds and entryway planters.

    “There are so many different ways to help,” Josie said. “If you only have an hour or two, there’s something for you. If you like talking to people, great, there’s something for you! And if you are less social, that’s fine, too. There’s a place for everyone here.”

    One experience that stood out to Josie was meeting a client on a rural route who clearly needed help beyond just a meal delivery. “She had bandages all over her arms that weren’t being properly cared for,” Josie recalled. “I let our director know, and the next thing I knew, home healthcare was involved. That’s what’s amazing about Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels; if there’s a need, they find a way to make it happen.”

    For Wright, volunteering is about more than just the meals. “Sometimes, we’re the only people these seniors see all week,” he said. “It’s not just about nutrition. It’s about being there, making sure they’re okay, and showing them they’re not forgotten.”

    Beyond the clients, Josie and Wright have built strong relationships with the Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels staff and fellow volunteers. “The staff here is phenomenal,” Josie said. “You get close to them, you know their life stories, and they know yours. When we walk in, we feel like we’re coming home.”

    Wright agreed. “It doesn’t matter what your background is. When you come in the door, everyone is working toward the same goal: helping people with dignity and respect.”

    So why do they keep coming back? Because it’s fulfilling. “It makes me feel good to do something meaningful,” Josie said. “I think I get more out of it than the clients sometimes.” Wright echoed the sentiment: “I go home feeling way better about myself after volunteering. It’s not about recognition; it just feels right.”

    To anyone considering volunteering, Josie and Wright have simple advice: “Just come and check it out,” Josie said. “You don’t have to commit to anything right away. Just see what the staff is doing and where you might fit in.” Wright added, “It’s an easy process to get started, and the need is always there. If everyone gives a little, we get the job done.”

    Are you ready to make a difference? Join Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels today and be part of something truly rewarding. Your time, no matter how small, can change lives—including your own.

     

  • Diane’s Why – Making a Difference Large or Small

    For Diane, volunteering isn’t just about dropping off meals—it’s about bringing joy, connection, and a little extra kindness to seniors in her community. For the past two and a half years, Diane has been delivering meals twice a week through the Kennewick site, but for her, it’s so much more than a routine. It’s a way to give back, to form meaningful relationships, and to teach her grandsons, Brian and Mathew, the value of kindness.

    “I’ve had relatives who used Meals on Wheels before, and I wanted to do something to give back,” Diane shares. “Looking at what Meals on Wheels represents, it just felt like a perfect fit.”

    Each shift, Diane picks up her insulated red bag filled with warm meals, a cooler for the cold items, and a delivery list before heading out to bring food and friendship to seniors in need. Tuesdays can be a little busier, with frozen weekend meals and, every other week, a loaf of bread to deliver. But for Diane, the additional logistics pale in comparison to the joy of seeing her clients’ faces light up.

    “I really enjoy volunteering for Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels because of all the different ways they support seniors,” Diane says. One of her favorite programs is the Holiday Wish List, where seniors get to request special items, and volunteers help make those wishes come true. “This past Christmas, my grandsons and I got to shop for the wishes on our clients’ lists. The boys wore Santa hats, and we delivered holiday bags. It was such a fun and heartwarming experience.”

    Diane’s connection to her clients goes beyond meal delivery. She remembers one woman who struggled with memory issues. At first, the woman was confused when Diane arrived, unsure why she was receiving meals. But everything changed when Diane’s grandson, Brian, came along.

    “When she opened the door and saw Brian, her whole face lit up,” Diane recalls. “They formed a special bond—singing songs together, exchanging flowers and birthday cards. Her daughter even told me that she talked all about Brian at a doctor’s visit. Despite her memory challenges, she remembered how much he meant to her.”

    Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels also provides a critical lifeline beyond nutrition. Diane recently performed a wellness check that may have saved a client’s life.

    “I knocked on the door, but no one answered. I could hear the dog barking and saw the client sitting on the couch. When he finally came to the door, something just seemed off,” Diane says. Sensing something wasn’t right she reported her concerns to the site manager. The client’s family was contacted, and it turned out he needed immediate medical attention. “His family was so grateful that we caught it early. It was a reminder that this program is about more than meals—it’s about caring for people.”

    For Diane, volunteering is deeply personal. “It’s so satisfying. The connections I’ve made, the joy I see in my clients—it’s a blessing. I feel lucky to be able to make even a small difference.”

    Her grandsons feel the same way. “I volunteer for Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels for three reasons,” says Brian. “To help people, to meet new people and their pets, and to deliver kindness with a smile.” Mathew, just four years old, adds, “I like to deliver food to people… and I like their cats too!”

    Diane encourages others to join the Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels team. “There are so many seniors who need these meals to stay independent in their homes. Just as important as the food is the social connection as many of them don’t see anyone else all day. These short visits mean the world to them. Volunteering here is truly rewarding in ways you can’t imagine.”

    Want to make a difference like Diane? Join Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels today and help bring meals, smiles, and connections to seniors in need!

     

  • April 2025 Newsletter

    April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and it can be hard to find the words to express our gratitude for our AMAZING volunteers. Their dedication and commitment to the community and our mission is inspiring! From delivering the meals, serving in our dining centers, to helping in the administrative office, our volunteers step in wherever is needed! Please join us in giving our volunteers a friendly thank you for everything they do!

    We are transitioning to our Spring/Summer Menu Cycle. Popular items like our Mac & Cheese, Chef Salad, and Chicken Salad Sandwich meals are returning! We also hope to be introducing some new menu items soon so be on the lookout!

    Celebrate Your Pet wish lists have been coming in steadily. Please remember to get those back to us by April 11th to allow our volunteers time to get those filled. We will be delivering those bags in May! We try to fill every wish but cannot guarantee that we will be able to grant each one. If you are in need of a wish list, please speak with a Site Lead at a dining center or call our administrative office at 509-735-1911.

    The Washington State Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is kicking off once again and we will administer the program on their behalf. These benefits are for qualified seniors who are residents of Benton and Franklin Counties. Participants are required to complete a new application each year, to be included on the list to receive one, please call our office at 509-735-1911. We will also have applications available at all of our dining centers and administrative office. Benefit cards are provided on a first- come, first-served basis, so it is important to FULLY complete and return the application as soon as possible. You can mail your applications in or drop them off at our administrative office or your closest dining site.

    You can mail your completed applications to:
    Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels
    1824 Fowler Street
    Richland, WA 99352

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  • March 2025 Newsletter

    Spring is Almost Here! As we welcome the approach of spring, I’m looking forward to warmer weather and more time spent outdoors! It’s always a joy to witness everything blooming and coming back to life after the winter months.

    We would like to extend our sincerest apologies for the meal sealing issues that occurred recently. After a thorough investigation, we were able to pinpoint the problem and have since replaced the faulty equipment. We hope this issue is behind us and appreciate everyone’s patience during that time.

    We’re excited to announce a new and beneficial partnership with Benton Franklin Transit (BFT). We are now able to distribute FREE Senior Passes for the BFT bus system! If you’re 65 or older and interested in obtaining a pass, simply contact our office or ask a Site Lead for more information. To register, we’ll need your name, birth date, phone number, and email address (if available). Once registered, you can either pick up your pass at the site or receive it with your regular meal delivery. We’re thrilled to offer this service and grateful for our partnership with Benton Franklin Transit.

    In addition, our Emergency Shelf Stable Meal Boxes have been delivered. A big thank you to all the staff and volunteers who helped with the distribution to our Home Delivery clients. These boxes are intended for use in case we’re unable to deliver meals due to weather or other emergencies.

    Lastly, we’re excited to announce the launch of our annual Celebrate Your Pet program! Wish lists are now being distributed to all Home Delivery clients, and forms will be available at each Dining Site for our Congregate participants. Completed lists should be returned to us by Friday, April 11th, either by mail or at a Dining Site. A huge thank you to Joan and her team of Elves for managing this special part of our program!

    We are looking forward to a wonderful spring and all the exciting opportunities ahead. Thank you again for your continued support!

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  • February 2025 Newsletter

    Welcome February! It is hard to believe that we are already in the second month of the year! We have been tallying the results from our Annual Survey and wanted to thank everyone who provided their feedback. This information helps us to identify areas for improvement, areas that are going well, and helps give us an overall view of how our participants feel about our program. One main area that was identified as needing some attention is our menu. We are going to be working on identifying other meal options to replace some of our less desired meals and hope that these changes will be received well. We are specifically focusing on our pork chop meals and tuna noodle casserole.

    Our program experienced growth in 2024, and I would like to share some statistics with you:

    • Total clients served‒2,518! (Up nearly 4% compared to 2023)
    • Total meals served‒249,959! (Up 6.5% compared to 2023)

    We welcome all our new participants and our excited to serve you!

    We strive to provide the best service we can and always appreciate feedback on how we are doing!

    Happy Valentine’s Day to you all!

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  • January 2025 Newsletter

    Happy New Year!! Hope everyone had a great end to the year and are just as excited for 2025 as we are! We had quite the year for Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels. We turned 50 and celebrated in style with our first ever Gala! We had our most successful OktoberFeast ever! We saw growth in our meal service programs and are honored to be serving even more members of the community! We grew our family with even more community partners and are blessed to be supported by so many wonderful organizations and community members! The list goes on and on for all the great things we achieved in 2024, and we know that 2025 is going to be even better!

    We have completed our Holiday Gift Program for the year with a record 473 participants! This is an increase of 100 participants compared to 2023 and we cannot be more thankful for the wonderful group of “Elves” that put all the bags together. Thank you to each community member who helped complete the wish lists, we could not have done this without your support. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped deliver these bags and to the staff who pivoted to help as needed. This is such an incredible program, and we hope that each participant got to feel how much the community supports them.

    I wanted to give a HUGE thanks to all the volunteers, staff, community partners and supporters who make Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels such an amazing organization. Without each and every one of you we could not complete our mission! You all are the heart of the organization and are making a difference to so many! THANK YOU!!!

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  • December 2024 Newsletter

    Another year is coming to an end, but here at Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels we are not slowing down! We are thrilled for lots of amazing things happening and hope that we can bring some excitement to your holiday season.

    We will be sending out gift bags to all of our homebound participants and those that come to the dining centers. These are provided by our wonderful community partner, Lutheran Community Services Northwest and their Santa for Seniors program. These bags are filled with fun activities, goodies, and treats that we hope to bring some joy to everyone.

    During the month of December, we will be hosting an “ugly sweater” contest at all of our eight dining centers. Come enjoy some great conversation and company while wearing a festive sweater to be entered into the drawing. At the end of the month, a name will be drawn, and the winner will receive a wonderful prize! We can’t wait to see you all!

    Our Holiday Wish List program is in full swing. Our homebound participants have been sending in their lists, after they checked them twice (hopefully!), and we have been sending them to our dedicated team of “elves” who have been working diligently to fulfill all the special requests! These gift bags will be delivered throughout the holiday season, so be on the lookout!

    We also want to hear from all of you! We truly value and appreciate our participants input to our program and will be sending out a survey that we would like you to complete. Please take a moment to give us your honest feedback and help us serve you even better! You can send your completed survey back to us with your delivery driver or turn in the completed survey to the Dining Site Lead.

    We thank each and every one of you for being part of our Meals on Wheels family! 

    Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!

  • November 2024 Newsletter

    As we embrace the cooler weather this fall, I want to take a moment to connect with you and remind everyone to stay safe and warm. The changing seasons bring beautiful transformations, but they also remind us to take care of ourselves and each other. Please ensure your homes are cozy and well-heated, and don’t forget to bundle up in layers when you step outside. Your well-being is our top priority.

    I also want to share that our homebound participants will be receiving additional emergency meals for potential severe weather or unexpected circumstances that impede our ability to deliver meals. These meals are not just about nourishment; they are a gesture of care and community, ensuring that everyone has access to necessities during harsher weather months.

    Lastly, I want to make sure everyone is aware and prepared for the 3 November closures. All Mid-Columbia Meals on Wheels services and dining centers will be closed on November 11th, in observance of Veterans Day. The Meals on Wheels team and I would like to thank and honor our veterans for their service. Services and dining sites will also be closed on the 28th and 29th to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause. Extra frozen meals will be distributed, if requested, in advance to accommodate for the 3 closures. Services and centers will resume as usual after these closures.