Share the Love
November 24, 2010

Menlo Park, CA (November 24, 2010) - Peninsula Volunteers Meals on Wheels has just won $100 from the Meals On Wheels Association of America (www.mowaa.org) Subaru "Share the Love" grant program. The winning essay, which follows, describes how Meals on Wheels drivers provide more than just meals to recipients.

The bond that develops between Meals on Wheels (MOW) drivers and their clients is very special. Many meal recipients live alone and the driver is the only person they see every day.

Mr. Noble lives alone and has limited mobility. He trusts his MOW driver and unlocks his door, knowing the driver arrives at the same time every day. That trust may have saved his life.

On September 16, 2009 Noe Vargas, Peninsula Volunteers Meals on Wheels driver, made his regular stop at Mr. Noble's building in Redwood City. Noe knocked at the door and entered the apartment. He heard Mr. Noble calling for help. He did not see Mr. Noble; he followed the sound of his voice and located him in the bathroom, behind a locked door. Mr. Noble needed help; he could not unlock the door. The MOW driver called 911. Mr. Noble was hospitalized with a leg injury. Without driver Noe, he could have remained injured in the bathroom for days before he was found - or died waiting!

After his treatment, Meals on Wheels delivery resumed two weeks later.

MOW client, Stanley Noble, has received meals since 2007.

The money comes at a critical time for this Meals On Wheels program, and the more than 140 other grant winners nationwide. The country's economic downturn has made it more difficult to raise money to continue feeding our community's homebound and other hungry seniors. Peninsula Volunteers Meals on Wheels plans to use the money to help fund meals and to purchase birthday gifts for meal recipients.

"Almost as important as the good nutrition and resultant health benefits, our home-delivered meal program offers participants a needed link to the community. The care and concern shown by our drivers is a hallmark of our program", stated Marilyn Baker-Venturini, Director of Peninsula Volunteers Meals on Wheels.

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Peninsula Volunteers, Inc.
800 Middle Avenue
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Telephone: 650-326-0665
Fax: 650-326-9547