Lynchburg Meals on Wheels honors volunteers, donors on anniversary

Since its founding 35 years ago, Meals on Wheels Inc. of the Greater Lynchburg Area has seen a lot of changes. One thing, though, has managed to remain the same: the important friendships formed between clients and volunteers.

“No matter how much the world changes, people will always need that human connection,” said executive director Lisa Schafer. “The friendly smiles and warm reassurances our volunteers give mean, if not more, than as much as the food.”

On Sunday, Meals on Wheels held a 35th anniversary celebration honoring its many volunteers, donors and clients. The festivities, held at the Madison Heights Community Center, included live music, food and video testimonials from those involved with the program.

Meals on Wheels currently serves about 295 meals a day to homebound residents in Lynchburg, Amherst County, Bedford County and Campbell County. Officials estimate the group has served more than 1.8 million meals since its inception.

Speakers during the anniversary ceremony traced the nonprofit’s history and the many changes it has undergone in an effort to keep pace with the changing community.

A growing demand for service led the group to create a dinner menu and extend meal delivery to Saturdays. Heightened awareness of the needs of pets has resulted in the “Animeals” program, which distributes donated cat and dog food. And a greater focus on healthy eating has changed the taste of clients, who are now asking for turkey wraps and sugar-free desserts rather than the traditional meat-and-potatoes fare.

The future promises to bring equally great change for Meals on Wheels, as a growing population of elderly residents increases the need for such programs. Meals on Wheels is currently considering making plans to build its own kitchen, which will allow it to cut costs and exercise greater control over the food it serves. Currently, food preparation is done by outside vendors.

Supporters and volunteers will continue to be the organization’s greatest asset, Schafer said. “We can feed the body of a meal recipient, but only the volunteers can feed their soul.”

One meal recipient, Barbara Parrish, said that for her Meals on Wheels has been a vital lifeline. Confined to a wheelchair, Parrish signed up with the group two years ago after beginning dialysis for kidney disease.

“Getting around and getting food together was becoming too hard for me,” she said. “I think it’s just wonderful there are people willing to take their time to deliver our meals. And they’re as nice as can be to me.”