Everyone Wins When A Group From Kaposia Delivers Meals on Wheels

My group of Developmentally Challenged individuals enjoy  being in Retirement Services because we’ve delivered Meals on Wheels for nearly  7 years! We not only personalize each visit, we deliver in a team approach wherein everyone has a role to play in this activity.  Last week, an elderly resident asked me about the “artist” in the group as we have a tendency to decorate the meals’ bag lunch and/or place a card inside it.  While embarrassed, the individual stepped into the resident’s doorway to accept the compliment as the decorated bag “made my day” as she told him.  You can’t make this up as the smallest of gifts go a long way in connecting with these often forgotten folks in our community.

A 3M Employee Reminisces About 21 Years of Volunteering For Meals on Wheels

I have been delivering Meals on Wheels in the Phalen area since 3M became involved with the program in November of 1989 – that makes over twenty-one years of delivering meals! I just delivered again today. I deliver every three weeks. I have had several partners come and go over the years due to work conflicts and retirements, but this is something that I just can’t give up.

It brings me joy to see that more people are getting involved. The people we meet and stories we learn are wonderful! I met a man named Andrew who “came over on da boat from Sveden in 1917″ at the age of 17. He grew up on a farm in Scandia. His son would come over every year and plant geraniums in his window boxes. He loved polkas and waltzes.

I met a woman named Eleanore whose husband was a 3Mer for a long time. She has since moved to a nursing home, but she still loves it when I visit. We are friends – I’m not just someone who drops off frozen food once a week. We visit, and get to know each other.

There is a gentleman who calls me his angel, as I take out his recycling and trash. He makes my day!

We make a difference! Every time we deliver a meal and make contact with the people on our route, we touch their lives and they touch ours. It’s a beautiful thing.

-Submitted by Jo B.

Alana Celebrates Meals on Wheels Month and One Year Of Service

I’m very happy it’s Meals on Wheels month, because next week will mark my 1st anniversary delivering meals once a week, and sometimes filling in other days.  I found MOW through a volunteer fair at the Mall of America last year. Since my retirement I began volunteering with We Can Ride, but felt I still had more time to give.  I’m proud to say I’ve had perfect attendance this year, and I’ve enjoyed this activity every delivery.  I’ve got one route in particular I enjoy since I’m familiar with the clients now, and we always try to have at least a brief chit-chat before I’m off.  What a great way to spend a short amount of time; it bring value to me as well as the clients.

Alana Deliveries with her Grandson

One day I decided to take my 5 year old grandson delivering the Champlin, MN route for the Anoka/Champlin Meals on Wheels.  This is a 17 mile route from my home, to the pickup, delivery, return of carriers, and return home.  We went to the first location which is a secured building.  I entered the code for the client and called out “Meals On Wheels”.  My grandson looked up at me and said “Grandma, is that the password?”  I laughed and said, “Well, yes it is.”  He said he wanted to say the password at the next stop, and enjoyed helping me deliver the meals.  I plan to take him again; he’s very outgoing and the clients enjoyed seeing him.

Chris Remembers a Favorite Delivery

Loring-Nicollet Meals on Wheels Program

We’ve been delivering for at least 6 years now, since my kids were just tots.  I have met many wonderful people on both sides of the lunch. My favorite was a few years back when I visited a gentleman with a music history. He had spent time as a session musician with a few notables whose names escape me. His son was coming to visit from out of town and was expected soon. He was an accomplished musician and erstwhile music promoter. I wished I’d had an extra lunch to sit down with him to share a meal and a few more stories.

The boys have always been excited to help. In a world that often assumes kids want chicken fingers, Disney, and rules, mine are happy to step into a role with adults. Their greeting often brings a smile to the those we are serving when my presence alone is not enough. And as we serve, we grow.

Kelsey’s Family Delivery Time!

Meals on Wheels is promoting a volunteer recruitment event during the month of July called “School Is Out; Family Time Is In.”  I decided to get in the spirit and bring my 17 year old brother and mom to deliver meals with me at the CEAP Meals on Wheels, which serves Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center.  It was a gorgeous, sunny day and delivering meals together was a great reason to spend some time with my busy teenage brother and mom; not to mention help others in our community. 

I deliver meals on a monthly basis, but it was the first time my brother and mom delivered meals.  It was so fun to share this experience with them.  It was the first time that I did this particular route so we were a little slow but we did get all the meals out and the meal recipients were happy to see us.  My mom said her favorite part was, “chatting with folks”; maybe that is why we were so slow on our route?

My brother and mom enjoyed the experience so much that they are going to deliver meals again this summer while my brother is still on break from school.  Delivering Meals on Wheels is always fun and makes a positive impact on your day, but it was even better when I got to share the time and experience with my family.

Dan’s Favorite Delivery

West 7th Community Center, West Side route 1 hour

I am back! I had three weeks off for some schooling, it is over and I am back to my deliveries.

I want to talk a little bit about my favorite delivery.

He is in an apartment building; when I make the delivery to him I put the meal on his kitchen table. He is always sitting in the chair, watching TV. I ask him how he is he always says all right. When I leave I wonder what his story is, how he got there, what he did for a living. Maybe one day I’ll find out, maybe not. That’s part of the fun of this job.

My wife has been working with elderly people at a nonprofit for many years.

She told me sometimes we may be the only people some of the people on the route will see on any given day. Just that possibility makes the work we do that much more meaningful.

Off next week, happy 4th everyone!

See you in a couple weeks.

Jim’s West Side Delivery

March 17, 2010 -

Had seven trips that day. First 5, no problem. Sixth stop, shut off car, took meal to home, put it in the cooler in back porch. Got in the car, it wouldn’t start. Being St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish men were downtown at the parade. Being older than dirt, no cell phone, had to walk to my home about a mile. I stopped at my son’s house on the way but no one was home. Seeing that I have only one lung, it was a very trying walk. Will, my good neighbor, was home so he took me to my car to get coolers and last meal. Drove me to last stop and we then took coolers back to drop off. He took me back home. I called the repair shop to go get my car, he asked “Where is it?” I said, “I don’t have an adress, but I think it is on the corner of Winslow and George street.” I was wrong. He called me and said, “I can’t find it.” Well, I explained the house to him and it was on George street, south side, it worked and he found my car. It was only a dead battery. Cost $225.00. Could have replaced it for $85.00 myself.

That’s my story!

Jim Jenniges, West Side Route 2

Meals on Wheels says “Anything can happen when you deliver a meal. Thanks to Jim for giving this delivery his all even through the frustration of car trouble!”

Pat’s Delivery in Summer Heat!

I had a great time delivering Meals on Wheels in NE Minneapolis today.  As I sweated through 45 minutes of getting in and out of my air-conditioned car, dashing towards homes seeking cool air and less humidity, I was reminded of how many of our senior neighbors do not have the luxury of air conditioning.  While it may not seem that hot in the breeze, it’s amazing how quickly a small home or apartment can heat up on a sunny day like today.  With a week of humid weather forecasted to be in the mid to high 80’s, now would be a good time to check in on your senior family, friends and neighbors to see that they are able to stay cool.  Please take a minute to make sure that their air conditioners and fans are working properly.  For more tips and resources, follow these links:

http://www.severeweather.state.mn.us/Documents/Heat_can_kill.pdf

http://www.redcross.org/www-files/Documents/pdf/Preparedness/checklists/HeatWave.pdf

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/elderlyheat.asp

Daniel’s Delivery with Guests

Dan G. (and two very special guests!), West Side Saint Paul, West 7th Community Center

This week was my second week of delivery for meals on wheels.
I had a bit of a situation this week. Our twin 9 year old boys had no school.
They attend year round school down the block from West 7th Community center at 4 seasons. My wife was expecting/hoping I could watch them. I recently became a full time real estate agent (I know, great timing J), which gives me certain freedoms, it allows to me to volunteer which I love and it gives me the ability to help with the boys.
I decided to make a day of it. I called Emily and asked if it would be ok to bring the boys on the deliveries and she said it would be great and encouraged it. I bribed them into doing something they didn’t think sounded like much fun with McDonalds for lunch, bike riding and fishing after that at Lake Elmo. The plan was in place and I completed the things I needed to do for work and off we went. We got the West 7th Community Center early and waited for our delivery bags. We got the bags, I instructed the boys on our mission and off we went.
We had 6 deliveries and during them one of the boys, Tony, said “I am glad we are doing this.” I am very happy he was able to appreciate being of service to others. I believe it is very important to teach the meaning/importance of helping and being a part of the community. I fulfilled my promise and we went to McDonalds then went fishing and rode our bikes around lake Elmo. Beautiful day for all our activities.
Until next week….

Dan