Meet Charlene

Charlene has lived in her Maryland home since 1966. The home is filled with loving memories of raising her kids, of good times spent with her family. She’s seen the neighborhood grow and change, watched people come and go, and yet Charlene has no intention of leaving her community.

Her independent spirit guides her life, and she won’t let aging get in the way of that. She simply needs an extra hand to make sure she’s safe and healthy. Thankfully, the regular knock on the door from Meals on Wheels does just that, and enables her to continue to age independently in her own home.

“I always say, as long as I understand things and it's something that I could do for myself, I will be here. It’s my home.”

Meet Bruce

Bruce isn’t one to complain or ask for help. His life has taken him on a journey through a number of struggles that prepared him to be both physically and mentally tough. However, his toughness was not enough to protect him from a hard blow in martial arts – a sport that is supposed to be contactless – that paralyzed the right side of his body. Now, most of his time is spent at home where he still has good days, and he has bad days.

That’s why the knock on his door signaling a visit from a Meals on Wheels volunteer is such a bright spot for him. There was a period when Bruce was also homeless, and that makes him doubly thankful for the home and food he has today.

“I'd be sitting there and waiting for that knock on the door. It isn't just the food, you know? It's the company.”

Meet Wilbert

Wilbert, an ordained minister, radiates warmth and, even at an advanced age, has a sharp sense of style and an infectious zest for life, one he’s maintained through good and bad times, including being separated from his wife of 64 years, who now requires assisted living care. It’s daunting for Wilbert to afford essential food on a fixed budget and to combat loneliness while navigating life alone for the first time in decades.

Every day, a knock on the door means the delivery of hot, delicious, and, most importantly, balanced meals, packed with a hearty and welcome dose of vegetables and fruits — healthy options that keep him from indulging in junk food, like a hamburger or french fries, two favorites. He’s grateful, most of all, for the fateful service of Meals on Wheels and Meals on Wheels volunteers that help him endure through hardship and keep his spirits high.

“When I hear the knock, it’s just a good feeling. To feed the hungry is a noble adventure beyond measure. It’s really a blessing to have a hot meal delivered to your door.”

Meet Ruth

Ruth’s lived a remarkable life. Serving in the Air Force, owning her own catering business, and participating in the Ice Capades are among her many accomplishments. Today, she suffers from limited mobility, which keeps her, among other things, from fully enjoying the beautiful park near her assisted living community, a vivid juxtaposition to the remarkable things she’s done in her life. 

Getting a knock on the door from a Meals on Wheels volunteer is an opportunity to be fed, not just by the daily nutritious meals, but through connecting with the kind souls who deliver them and remind her, with their compassion, that she’s not alone.

“They are a blessing, they’re totally a blessing.”