DRIVING CHANGE

Meals On Wheels Of Hendricks County Turns 50

Writer / Melissa Gibson

Photography Provided

Meals on Wheels of Hendricks County (MOW) will celebrate 50 years in 2023.

Since 1973, the Hendricks County chapter of MOW has been serving nutritious, hot meals to those in the county in need of a little extra assistance.

Chances are, you’ve heard of the organization and you know they deliver food. However, the service provided is so much more.

What began as three routes, delivering meals to 10 residents in the early 1970s, has become a system of 11 routes serving 140 residents at a minimum.

“Our primary mission is to deliver hot and nutritious meals to clients throughout Hendricks County,” says Sabrina Cordon, executive director. “However, many people think of us as serving seniors and don’t realize we also serve clients with disabilities, those who are homebound, and those with chronic illness.”

In addition to hot meals, volunteers also provide wellness checks and human connection.

Tom Stempson is vice president for the MOW board and has volunteered for more than four years.

“After retirement, my wife began volunteering and she got me into it,” he says. “I thought it was just great. I began to pick routes and we’d go together. I liked a couple of things. I really like to drive and the routes would take me to places in the county I didn’t even know existed. Secondly, I’d watch as this person struggled to get to the door to pick up their food. You help them out, find out what their needs are, and it occurs to you that this is probably the only human contact these folks have had all day.”

Cordon has watched as volunteers have formed friendships with their clients, exchanged numbers and checked in with each other.

“Many of our volunteers have been driving for years and our clients are so appreciative, and to see someone come to their door with a smile really brightens their day,” Cordon says. “Tom always says, ‘It’s impossible to be in a bad mood when delivering for Meals on Wheels.’” In the midst of the pandemic, MOW saw a huge need and answered the call.

“2022 was a record year for us,” Cordon says. “We served 32,500 meals to just under 300 clients and we have the capacity to accept new clients today.”

The meals are prepared by Hendricks Regional Health, and overseen by the nutrition and dietician department. The cost is minimal, paid for by funding through CICOA, Medicaid, or the client if they don’t qualify.

“We’re not making a profit,” Cordon says. “The meal costs $7.75 and we charge $5.50, covering some of the cost with grants and donations. Like any nonprofit, we’re always looking for new donors and support.”

In addition to funds and delivering food, MOW offers several other ways the community can help.

The nonprofit partners with Misty Eyes Animal Center to provide pet food for clients with four-legged friends. Donations to Misty Eyes furthers that mission.

Birthday bags are assembled to celebrate with each client. They include a handwritten birthday card and a few personalized items. MOW collects small notebooks, chapstick, travel-sized lotions, pens, puzzle books, magnets and more, to add to the birthday gift.

Along with the hot meal that is delivered, clients receive a cold side and beverage packaged in a lunch bag.

“We have school groups and service groups that decorate brown paper lunch sacks for the holidays or a client’s birthday,” Cordon says. “It’s just another nice thing that brightens their day. We also offer opportunities with our pen-pal program and connection calls - simply checking in with clients to see how things are going.”

The checking in provides relationship building between volunteers and clients, but also security for family members who may be working full time or not live locally. It’s a relief to those caring for an elderly loved one or someone in need that MOW is there to assist.