From the CEO - Overview Letter from Our 2008 Annual Report

We recently published our Annual Report for 2008. Here is the text of the letter from CEO Teresa Barry that appeared in the report:

As I reflect back on 2008, I do so with a sense of gratitude and pride. Gratitude, because so many people in the community, including our many dedicated volunteers, enthusiastically supported the work of Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties. And pride, because of the way our staff members rose to the challenges we faced.

The year was ushered in by the “Healthcare Heroes for Nutrition” campaign, sponsored by Aultman Hospital and AultCare. More than 100 of their employees volunteered in January to deliver meals, raising awareness of the nutritional needs of our homebound neighbors while placing the spotlight on our agency and its services.

In March, we participated in the national “March for Meals/Mayors for Meals” campaign, which has its roots right here in Stark and Wayne counties. Seven years earlier we had asked area mayors to spend a morning delivering meals in their communities. The Meals On Wheels Association of America liked the idea so much, it became a nationwide program that now has more than 1,000 mayors participating annually. Locally, 14 mayors from the two-county area delivered meals. And, during the month-long campaign, 47 employees from the Timken Company volunteered to deliver meals for us.

Summer brought with it our annual “Heroes Against Hunger” program. During July and August, 16 police and fire chiefs from area cities and townships pitched in to deliver meals to our homebound neighbors.

Combine all of the above efforts with the ongoing, selfless dedication of more than 300 regular volunteers, and you can understand why we are so grateful for the support we receive.

There were other significant highlights during the year as well. In September, we welcomed Cat Cora of The Food Network’s “Iron Chef America,” who dazzled an audience of 230 guests with an evening of excellent cuisine and entertainment at the Kent State Stark Professional Education & Conference Center. She also spent a morning at our administrative office building, taking the time to tour our commissary and meet our staff before participating in deliveries to several of our clients in Massillon. Chef Cora’s weekend visit also included a book signing event at Border’s on The Strip in North Canton.

At year’s end we conducted our annual pet food drive as part of the “Season of Suppers” campaign, sponsored by the Banfield Charitable Trust. We expanded to 11 collection sites in the area and received more than 5,500 pounds of dog and cat food, which was then distributed to our clients with pets. The drive was such an overwhelming success that we are now prepared to make our collection efforts a year-round program.

Personally, I assumed the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Meals On Wheels Association of America in August. During my two-year term I will have the opportunity to work closely with officials and legislators in the nation’s capitol, while simultaneously drawing greater attention to the work we are doing locally at Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties. It is a testimony to our agency that I have been given this privilege to serve in such a visible and important role, and I am humbled by the opportunity and determined to make a difference.

I spoke earlier of how proud I am of our staff. From our office and commissary personnel to the employees at each of our locations in Stark and Wayne counties, our staff members continue to do more with less. The cost of the two commodities essential to our mission – food and fuel – fluctuated wildly during 2008, making it essential for us to control spending and, in some cases, reduce employee hours or positions. Everyone with the agency assumed a greater work load, and, in so doing, demonstrated tremendous resourcefulness and skill.

It was a challenging year, but also a rewarding one. We remain dedicated to nourishing and enriching the lives of individuals of all ages by providing essential services that promote independent living and dignity. We are deeply indebted to all those who join us in that cause.

Teresa Barry
CEO