0622_Senior Life Digital Edition | Page 10

“ What I love most about volunteering for MoW is performing a service for the community and keeping in contact with our seniors so they stay engaged .”

SENIORS

MEALS ON WHEELS

We are so grateful to our volunteers for their caring service in support of our seniors .

Serving more than 3,000 meals to Sacramento ’ s seniors every day , Meals on Wheels ( MoW ) by ACC helps keep seniors in their homes and communities by providing nutritious meals , safety net services and friendly social contact . The organization ’ s volunteers are at the very heart of the local nonprofit ’ s mission and services .

“ We have the most incredible volunteers ,” says Kevin McAllister , executive director of MoW by ACC . “ Truly , they are the backbone of our organization and make it possible for us to support the region ’ s seniors , including volunteering for our home meal delivery program , supporting our meal voucher program , working in our cafés , and more .”
Currently , MoW has approximately 200 volunteers . Carolyn Kay , a MoW volunteer for the past eight years , says it is a privilege to volunteer with an organization that embodies hard work and cares deeply for the population it serves . “ I am of the same generation as the seniors we care for and I know how much they value being seen ,” Kay says . “ When I first
started delivering meals , one of the gentlemen I served had been rescued from a very bad situation . He was skin and bones and unable to walk on his own . After months of our deliveries , he was able to recover and met me outside walking without his walker !”
Echoing Kay ’ s sentiments is Sharon Yamamoto , who has volunteered for MoW for six years and says it is positive both for her and the MoW participants . “ I get the pleasure to serve a person who needs extra help in life , to chat with them and to listen when they need an ear ,” Yamamoto says .
To celebrate all the MoW by ACC volunteers , the nonprofit hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation event this month . The event was circus-themed , with food provided by Drewski ’ s Hot Rod Kitchen .
“ This event is our way to say ‘ thank you ’ to our wonderful volunteers ,” McAllister says . “ As we continue to rebuild after the pandemic , we hope to recruit even more volunteers so we can keep doing this great work .”
“ What I love most about volunteering for MoW is performing a service for the community and keeping in contact with our seniors so they stay engaged .”
— Teresa Kahl , Volunteer for MoW by ACC
7375 Park City Drive Sacramento , CA 95831 ( 916 ) 444-9533 www . mowsac . org
76 comstocksmag . com | June 2022
SPONSORED PROFILE