Your Company Can Volunteer: The Adopt-A-Route Program

Businesses and organizations large and small in Stark and Wayne counties have discovered that Meals On Wheels is the perfect volunteer opportunity for their employees. We provide about 2,000 meals a day, Monday through Friday, with volunteer drivers covering more than 60 routes from 20 sites.

Through our ‘Adopt a Route’ program, your business or organization can make a difference for homebound people throughout the region. You simply select a route at a site close to your location, and then commit to delivering on a regular basis -- weekly, or biweekly, based on your schedule and employee availability.

Employees sign up at your locations and typically work in teams of two, rotating on a week-by-week basis. The more people who volunteer, the less frequently any one individual is asked to assist. Volunteers arrive at our sites around 10:45, and routes take between 60 and 90 minutes to complete.

The benefits to your company or organization are numerous. Delivering meals to the homebound promotes team-building and morale, and provides busy employees with an opportunity to be active in community service without taking away precious evening and weekend time with their families.

It also enhances your reputation as a community partner, allowing for greater social responsibility at minimal cost.

To take advantage of this community service opportunity and help the homebound by volunteering with the Meals On Wheels Adopt-A-Route program, call our volunteer department at 330-832-7220.

USA TODAY Shines Spotlight On the Work of Meals On Wheels

Meals On Wheels was featured in a recent USA TODAY special section titled, "A Hunger-Free America," which highlighted programs around the country that address the problem of hunger in the United States.

Meals On Wheels was credited with addressing the issue of senior hunger in an article by Sally Wadyka of Media Planet, creators of the special section.

"By delivering to those who are homebound we are enabling seniors to stay in their homes and remain independent," Michael Flynn, director of communications for the Meals On Wheels Association of America, told Wadyka.

The article described corporate partnerships like the one with the Walmart Foundation, and credited them with helping in the effort to eliminate senior hunger in America.

Click on the article image above to see an enlarged version.

Get a Free Celebrity Cookbook Download, Plus Make a $1 Donation to Meals On Wheels, with a Simple Click!

Barilla Pasta is a great friend to Meals On Wheels, and now through Oct. 15 Barilla will make a $1 donation to MOW for every click on their "Share the Table" page on the Barilla website.

In addition, after clicking on the "Yes I do!" button, you'll be able to download a free copy of the 32-page Celebrity Pasta Lovers' Cookbook, featuring recipes from Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Jimmy Fallon, Mariska Hargitay, and more.

Nothing could be easier! Simply click here to go to the Barilla Pasta site, then click on the Yes button and you're on your way -- and another dollar will go to Meals On Wheels!

Produce Donated From Perry Community Garden

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties has received more produce -- this time from a community garden in Perry Township.

The garden is on private farm property and is open to anyone who wants to plant, cultivate and harvest their own garden. Many residents of the surrounding area have taken advantage of the offer and planted their own gardens. Some of the gardeners have chosen to donate a portion of their crops to area missions, food banks and other food service organizations.

Tom Tasker (left) and Ken Shreffler of the Perry Township Parks Department are pictured here with their most recent delivery of produce to Meals On Wheels. The produce is used by our commissary staff in meals prepared for our clients.

We're grateful for the generosity and hard work of those who have chosen to support Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties with the fruit of their labor. We can always use donations such as this, and the ones from our partners at the Stark County Jail garden.

For information on how to donate produce to Meals On Wheels, just give us a call at 330-832-7220.

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties Visits Two Community Events

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties participated in two community events the week of September 13.

Linda Spielman, volunteer coordinator, represented the agency Sept. 14 at a volunteer fair sponsored by Mount Union University in Alliance. The event was attended by students, faculty and staff, and was designed to let members of the university community learn about volunteer service opportunities in the area.

Tom Delamater, public relations administrator, represented the agency Sept. 19 at a missions fair (above photo) sponsored by Bethany Mennonite Church in Hartville. About 250 members of the congregation enjoyed lunch in the church's gymnasium facility, and then toured the more than two dozen displays by organizations offering service opportunities locally, nationally and abroad.

Meals On Wheels was represented by a display board and an assortment of literature describing the agency, its programs, and volunteer opportunities.

Volunteering to deliver meals for Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties is easy! Call 330-832-7220 for more information or to get started.

Day of Caring Volunteers Assist Meals On Wheels in Stark County

Once again, corporate volunteers turned out in large numbers to assist Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties during the United Way Day of Caring on Thursday, Sept. 16.

More than 100 volunteers were assigned by the United Way of Stark County to Meals On Wheels sites throughout the county. At all 13 sites in the county, volunteers delivered meals to our clients.

In addition, volunteers at our administrative center in Massillon helped prepare food for future deliveries, and completed a number of maintenance tasks in the building.

"We were overwhelmed by the response to our needs," our CEO, Teresa Barry, told the Canton Repository.

She said that, in addition to the help provided by the company participants, there was an even greater potential benefit.

"Some (volunteers) also expressed interest in helping throughout the year in our corporate volunteer program, so we're excited about the impact the Day of Caring has had on our agency."

According to Linda Spielman, volunteer coordinator, several participants in the Day of Caring expressed a willingness to begin volunteering on a regular basis to deliver meals.

Countywide, more than 1,000 volunteers from 55 companies assisted 44 non-profit agencies during the Day of Caring event.

Firestone Store Presents Check to Meals On Wheels From Aug. 15 Fundraiser

The final results are in, and the amount is even higher than originally anticipated.

On Aug. 15, the Firestone Auto Center at the Chapel Hill Mall near Akron held a raffle and fundraiser to benefit Meals On Wheels. WQMX-FM also raffled off concert tickets as part of the benefit. A total of $1,897 was raised on the day.

On Sept. 11, Scott Wilson, manager of the Firestone store (left, in photo), presented a check for $2,000 to Tom Delamater, public relations administrator for Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties (shown on the right). Firestone contributed an additional amount to arrive at the final total.

We appreciate the support and enthusiasm for the work and mission of Meals On Wheels displayed by our friends at Firestone, and are grateful for the financial support they provided.

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties Participates in Local Family Care Fair

Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties was represented at a Family Care Fair on Thursday, Sept. 9, at Fellowship Baptist Church in Navarre.

About 30 people from the congregation and neighboring community heard speakers from several social service organizations, and visited their display tables afterward to learn more about the programs offered.

Tom Delamater, public relations administrator for Meals On Wheels, spoke briefly to the group and gave an overview of the agency's services. Literature was available in the lobby about meal delivery, congregate dining, and volunteer opportunities.

Other organizations like the Area Agency on Aging, Aultman Primetime, Crossroads Hospice and several home health care organizations were also represented.


Fellowship Baptist Church is located on Fohl Rd. in Navarre, just south of Canton and adjacent to Interstate 77. The church, which is in the midst of a $1.2 million facility expansion, opened in 1994 with five families and has since grown to 400 members.

The Joys and Benefits of Congregate Dining

There is nothing like the feeling of sharing a hot, well-balanced meal while enjoying the simple pleasure of conversation and companionship. Studies have shown that socialization is an important part of remaining mentally alert as we age, and brightening our outlook on life in general. That's where our Congregate Dining Program fits in; it's an important part of the services we provide at Meals On Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties.

The Congregate Dining Program is available at 14 of our locations in Stark and Wayne counties. It is funded in part through the Older Americans Act and provides individuals over the age of 60 (or spouses) the opportunity to have a hot, nutritionally balanced meal in a group setting. The suggested donation is $2.50 per meal. (Guests under the age of 60 may attend for a fee of $4.50.) These hot meals are available Monday through Friday at 11:45 am. Reservations are required. Guests must provide their own transportation.

More information is available by calling our office at 330-832-7220, or toll-free at 1-800-466-8010.

Roast Beef...Sliced Turkey...Baked Chicken...Meatball Subs...Spaghetti -- Just Another Month on the Meals On Wheels Menu!

The September menu is out, and it's loaded with delicious, nutritious meals that are prepared fresh daily in our commissary.

Click on the image below for a larger view. The menu is also available on our website, http://www.mow-starkwayne.org/.