Describe your nonprofit’s mission.
The mission of Meals on Wheels of Charlottesville/Albemarle (MOW) is to deliver hot, nutritious midday meals Monday through Friday to residents of the Charlottesville/Albemarle area on a temporary or long-term basis. We serve any resident who is unable to prepare nutritious meals and who has no one to help them with meal preparation. Our goal is to provide not only appetizing nutritious food, but also daily social contact to people who are hungry and living alone.
What need in our community brought about the creation of your nonprofit?
MOW was created in 1977 by a group of women who realized there were people in our community who were unable to leave their residences to obtain food and were unable to cook for themselves, so they never had a not nutritious meal.
How has your nonprofit made a difference in our community?
MOW serves an average of 260 meals each weekday to those in our community who are homebound and live alone. We provide not only a meal, but a friendly visit. For many of our clients, our volunteers are they only social interaction they have each day. Our volunteers provide food and a caring eye – any client who does not answer receives a call from our staff. If we are unable to reach the client, we have an emergency contact for each that we will call. This provides an extra level of comfort for the client and family members who may not live in the area. Client who receive meals feel better, eat healthier and are less isolated.
How can community members help you achieve your mission?
Our funding comes entirely from the community, in large part from private donations. We receive no government funding. And we rely heavily on volunteers to pack and deliver our meals. We utilize 185 volunteers each week
Tell us a story that has come out of your work.
Walter and Winnie live in a trailer in a rural area of the county. (Directions to their home include “turn right at the big rock”!) They are completely isolated and do not drive. Walter is a World War II veteran in his nineties; Winnie is in her eighties and in poor health. They have been married for decades. When you visit Walter, he will tell you he is the luckiest man in the world. He lives in a beautiful place, he still has his Winnie and friendly people stop by to bring them meals and share a few moments each day. Without MOW, this lovely couple would not be able to stay in their own home, living out their last years together.
Learn more about Meals on Wheels.
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