Starting out with 10 clients on one route, it has grown to 18 routes serving around 100 meals daily. They’ ve been able to remain one of the longest running nonprofit organizations in Stillwater, even navigating through the pandemic.
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Stillwater Mobile Meals delivers more than food
SMM Executive Director Neilly Thomas and long-time volunteer Clem Ward. T-shirts are available to purchase throughout the year as a fundraiser.
Starting out with 10 clients on one route, it has grown to 18 routes serving around 100 meals daily. They’ ve been able to remain one of the longest running nonprofit organizations in Stillwater, even navigating through the pandemic.
Stillwater Mobile Meals is a nonprofit that delivers well-balanced, nutritional meals to individuals are unable to adequately shop or prepare meals for themselves. Many are homebound due to declining health, physical disabilities, or elderly. Several options are available including low-sodium, gluten-free, diabetic and vegetarian. Every meal is prepared in the Stillwater Medical Center kitchen. SMC has partnered with Mobile Meals since its creation in 1972. All items are already prepared and packed in a cooler, making for a seamless delivery process.
Stillwater Mobile Meals has been serving Stillwater for almost 55 years. Alice Fowler is one of three founding members and is still a volunteer today. While Stillwater Mobile Meals is not federally or state funded, it is supported by United Way of Payne County and donations from local individuals, civic clubs and community organizations.
Starting out with 10 clients on one route, it has grown to 18 routes serving around 100 meals daily. They ' ve been able to remain one of the longest running nonprofit organizations in Stillwater, even navigating through the pandemic.
The goal of Stillwater Mobile Meals is to help Stillwater residents maintain their independence and live in their own homes as long as possible. Mobile Meals volunteer drivers are the backbone of the organization, and without their boots on the ground SMM would not be able to provide meals each day.
I delivered meals with my mom during the summers when I was growing up and I ' ve been a volunteer delivery driver for almost a year. It ' s not only rewarding for the recipients, it is for me as well. Since my grandparents have passed away, I ' ve really enjoyed getting to know the elders of our town. I ' ve made some really neat connections and met some super cool people.
Anyone over 18 can volunteer, and Stillwater Mobile Meals can always use volunteers, especially during the summer months and holiday seasons. Each route takes less than an hour, but you can run it however you ' d like.
For some, a Mobile Meals driver is their only visitor each day and only conversation they have with another person. I love connecting with people( and their pets), so it ' s a win-win for both of us! If you don ' t want to commit to being a full-time driver, you can always sign up to be a substitute.
For more information on how to volunteer, donate, or receive Mobile Meals, contact Executive Director Neilly Thomas at 405-742-5765. Or you can visit stillwater-mobilemeals. org.
Special shout-out to Fred and Sheri Stanton who have been volunteering for 30 years, and Bob Hunger who is the Chair of the SMM Board and volunteer of 40 years! SwOk
STORY BY: JENNIFER JALBERT Stillwater Oklahoma Magazine PHOTOS by JENNIFER JALBERT
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