Florida Catholic | Meals on Wheels’ Parish Volunteers Relish Friendship

Meals on Wheels’ parish volunteers relish friendship

St. Matthew Parish volunteers provide a side of friendship with every meal they deliver.

JESSICA LEVCO | SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA CATHOLIC

Published: 06.06.08

WINTER HAVEN | As volunteers for Meals on Wheels, Bob and Ellie Connell have delivered food to the homebound elderly for the past 12 years. But it’s not just lunches they distribute. Since the Connells have been on the same driving route for three years, they’ve gotten to know the people to whom they deliver the meals.

“We could probably do the route in a lot less time,” Bob Connell said, with a chuckle, “but we know we might be their only social contact of the day, so it’s important to be friendly and visit.”

Connell, a former president of Meals on Wheels and a current board member, is also an active parishioner at St. Matthew Parish here. He estimates there are more than 25 parish members who also volunteer at the nonprofit organization, serving on the board, working in the kitchen and delivering the food.

With a strong connection to Meals on Wheels, the parish recently donated $5,000 from the second collection after all Masses on Easter. Father Charles Viviano said St. Matthew’s is a place where people not only come together to worship, but to serve.

“Meals on Wheels had a need and we tried to respond,” Father Viviano said. “We’ve gotten a wonderful acknowledgment from people who volunteer there. People at St. Matthew’s are very proud of what they’ve raised.”

Meals on Wheels, at 620 Sixth St. N.W., serves people in Winter Haven, Auburndale, Haines City and Lake Alfred. A home-cooked meal is delivered at lunchtime, Monday through Friday. Clients can also request to have a supper sack delivered, which includes a beverage, sandwich and light dessert.

A large portion of food is donated from Publix and Wal-Mart, Connell said. He said the group also buys food directly from a wholesaler on a purchasing program. Since Meals on Wheels doesn’t receive any state or federal grants, a large amount of energy is focused on fundraising and donations.

But Connell also encourages local residents to donate food to the organization, especially since the price of food is rising.

“A lot of food prices have gone up, especially the cost for bread, meat and corn,” Connell said. “Donations are accepted because we want to keep the food flowing.”

It’s not just the cost of food that’s increasing. With fuel prices nearing $4 a gallon and expectations of them soaring even higher this summer, Connell is aware this will deter volunteer drivers. The organization operates 22 routes that run five days a week. Customers are spread out, but Connell said the organization is currently monitoring the route system to see if anything could be combined.

“We’re always looking for drivers,” Connell said. “Snowbirds go home for the summer and the biggest challenge we have is driver turnover.”

Even though the St. Matthew’s donation was a one-time contribution, Connell hopes the money will raise more awareness about Meals on Wheels and bring more donations and volunteers to the organization.

“It’s a significant contribution,” Connell said. “The ultimate payoff will be good for our consumer because we’ll be able to provide people with a greater variety of food.”

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Meals on Wheels’ parish volunteers relish friendship

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