Sharon and Gabe’s Story of Friendship Through a Love for Pets

A Grandmother and Grandson’s Bond Through Servitude

Socializing isn’t easy for Gabe, a 21-year-old with autism. So when his grandmother, Billie Jo, suggested that they volunteer with Meals on Wheels, he resisted.

Every Monday and Tuesday, as the two drove toward the local Meals on Wheels office in Des Moines, Iowa, Gabe crossed his arms and shook his head. “No Meals on Wheels today, grandma,” he insisted.

In response, Billie Jo calmly explained that seniors were relying on them. “Gabe, our friends need their lunches,” she said. Still, he couldn’t quite understand why his routine was being interrupted to drive around an unfamiliar neighborhood. He just wanted to be at home watching television.

Billie Jo soon learned that stopping at the nearest gas station for a snack would improve Gabe’s mood just long enough to make the afternoon tolerable for him. But rather than interact with clients, Gabe sat in the car, quietly eating chips and observing. This went on for two weeks.

On the third week, Gabe noticed that when someone received a hot meal, they would also receive a paper sack filled with milk, bread, butter, and fruit. Suddenly motivated to help in his own way, Gabe started handing these bags to his grandmother at each stop. Occasionally, he would accompany Billie Jo to the door and stand behind her while she chatted with clients.

As the weeks passed, Gabe became more and more interested in the delivery process. With a little direction from Billie Jo, he learned how to use the app that allows volunteers to document the delivery of each meal. He also noticed which clients on the route had dogs and cats. Cleverly, he began joining Billie Jo in greeting those specific clients so he could sneak in some one-on-one time with their pets.

A Shared Love For Pets

Gabe developed an especially close bond with Queenie and Socks, two kitties who lived with a 77-year-old senior named Sharon. While giving the cats head scratches one day, Gabe began chatting with Sharon. The two instantly connected.

“I talk to him like I would anyone else. We usually talk about animals,” Sharon said. “It’s the highlight of my day. I feel much safer knowing they are looking out for me. They are both so friendly and helpful.”

Gabe has also benefited from these weekly visits.

“It’s the perfect amount of socialization for Gabe, and he has really come so far,” Billie Jo said. “Every adult in his family — his mother, his father, his aunts and uncles — are all in awe of how much his social skills have improved. He never used to be able to have conversations with people, and now he can chat with just about anyone. It is truly amazing.”

This story illustrates the power of Meals on Wheels. When a volunteer delivers warm, nutritious food to a senior’s doorstep, they provide much-needed sustenance as well as companionship. But these interactions also leave an indelible impression on the volunteer, fostering a sense of purpose and connection.