Delivering Meals and Smiles

League staff assist local seniors for two decades

by Eryn Russell, Florida League of Cities

For two decades, employees in the Florida League of Cities (FLC) Tallahassee office have supported Elder Care Services’ Meals on Wheels benefit program. Elder Care Services collaborates with local, state and federal agencies and local organizations to improve the quality of life for seniors in the Big Bend area.

Elder Care offers several programs for seniors, including the Meals on Wheels program, which is a member of Meals on Wheels America. This meal program provides homebound seniors with two meals each day, Monday through Friday, at no cost to the senior. Volunteers pick up meals from Elder Care and deliver them each day. FLC employees deliver meals every other week to a designated route, which helps League employees get to know the seniors they are serving.

FLC Employees Heather Hilaman and Chris Holley drop off meals to one of the apartments on the League’s designated route.

Photo courtesy of Florida League of Cities

FLC staff started volunteering with this program in 2002 due to a desire to give back to the community. Rebecca “Beck” Garrett, Payroll Administrator, said, “Volunteering for Meals on Wheels is such an easy way to contribute. I enjoy being involved in my local community, and it has been very rewarding. One of the best parts has been getting to know my fellow Leaguers during deliveries and having the opportunity to forge friendships that I may not have otherwise.” Garrett has been participating in Meals on Wheels for over 13 years. When the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020 and FLC offices closed briefly, she continued to help with FLC’s designated route.

Heather Hilaman, Accounting Analyst, is one of the newest League employees to participate in this program. “Meals on Wheels is a rewarding experience to serve the seniors in my community,” said Hilaman. “Everyone is appreciative and welcoming.”

It’s gratifying and humbling to provide a hot meal to someone who might not have one otherwise, said Linda Bridges, Director of Association Services and Meeting Planning. “Those on our routes, through the years, have generally been elderly individuals who are happy to see a smiling face,” Bridges said. “I think seeing someone daily for a few minutes is sometimes even more important than the meal itself.” The volunteers have become very attached to the clients on the routes.

FLC Employees Karen Pastula (left) and Laura Underhill start the trip by picking up meals from the Elder Care Services building.

Photo courtesy of Florida League of Cities

Laura Underhill, Senior Financial Analyst, has been participating in Meals on Wheels for 18 years, the longest of any current FLC employee. “The people we get to meet and serve are always thankful and kind,” Underhill said. “Some want to sit and talk for a while as they may not have anyone to talk to that day.”

She won’t ever forget one man who had chickens running around in his yard. “He always wanted to talk, so we made sure we allowed extra time to speak with him,” Underhill said.

In 2020, Executive Director/CEO Jeannie Garner began offering employees seven hours of paid “civic duty” each month. Employees can use the hours to volunteer without taking off personal time from work.

As part of the League’s 100th Anniversary, Garner challenged each office to earn 100 hours of community service work. Along with participating in the Meals on Wheels program, the Tallahassee office hosted a street cleanup and volunteered in the local community garden of the Second Harvest of the Big Bend, a nonprofit food bank. The Orlando office hosted several trips to the Central Florida branch of Second Harvest. Due to its popularity among staff, FLC’s Orlando employees plan to continue volunteering quarterly.

Eryn Russell is a Membership Program Specialist at the Florida League of Cities.