Spring is in full swing with summer fast approaching. Many people are looking for ways to be a bit more active and give back to their community. Milestone Senior Services’ home delivered meals program, commonly referred to as Meals on Wheels, is a great way to meet both of those needs.
Milestone delivers meals to older adults and adults with disabilities who are unable to access adequate nutrition for themselves. All meals are made-from scratch, nutritiously balanced, and delicious. Customers select from a hot, cold, or frozen menu. Meals are delivered each weekday throughout Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties – and that’s where volunteers come in.
Since opening their doors in 1963, Milestone has relied on volunteers to deliver meals to people in our community. Still today, volunteers are vital in making sure meals are delivered to those who need them. The Meals on Wheels program currently operates on 32 routes across both counties, with most routes utilizing 2 volunteers – when you do the math at five days a week for 52 weeks, that comes out to a lot of volunteers! Volunteers literally make this program possible – without them, it would not exist.
Volunteers with Meals on Wheels, fill one of two roles: a driver, or a hopper. Drivers navigate the designated route while the hoppers “hop” out of the car to deliver the meals to the clients’ doors. Volunteers set their own schedules – some do regular routes once a week, or a couple times a month, and some fill in when they can. Many regular volunteers get to know the clients on their routes, often learning more about them and their lives. For some of the clients, the volunteer at their door might be the only person they see that day, so a friendly smile and warm greeting go a long way to brightening their day. This also means that every delivery comes in with a built in “wellness check.” If a client does not answer the door, Milestone is able to reach out to an emergency contact to inform them. The volunteers are delivering both meals and peace of mind.
When Milestone volunteers were asked to share how volunteering made them feel, popular words were “fulfilled,” “valued,” and “needed.” Although Meals on Wheels delivers much-needed nutrition and peace of mind to the clients, it brings just as much joy and gratitude to the volunteers. When people come together to serve others, the whole community is stronger.
If being a Meals on Wheel volunteer does not sound like a good fit for you, Milestone can help you connect to any number of volunteer opportunities at other nonprofits throughout Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties as well. Through the AmeriCorps Seniors’ RSVP program, Milestone connects volunteers 55 years of age and older to volunteer opportunities both inside and outside of Milestone.
If you are interested in getting out of the house to help a nonprofit organization in your community, contact Milestone’s volunteer services department to find your connection: 269-382-0515 or visit our Volunteer page Discover Milestone. We’re here to help.
