Delivering More Than a Meal Since 1974

Mr. N.’s life was saved by an Edmond Mobile Meals volunteer.  An Oklahoma Christian student, Jake, was delivering a route for his professor on a hot day in July. When Jake attempted to deliver a meal to Mr. N., he noticed that the client was having trouble communicating and standing up. Mr. N. waved him on, saying he was ok. Jake left the meal on the kitchen counter but still felt like he needed to let someone know that Mr. N. didn’t seem to be feeling well. Jake called the office and let them know what he had observed. The programs director agreed and went to Mr. N’s house to just make sure he was okay. He was not okay.  Mr. N. was having a stroke and was very incapacitated by the time she arrived. First responders arrived and took him for emergency care.  We didn’t know the outcome and assumed the worst. Then, several months later Mr. N called our office and asked if he could meet the Edmond Mobile Meals volunteer who saved his life. He had been through many months of treatment and rehabilitation but was able to return to his home and resumed his mobile meals service. Mr. N. would not be with us today if Jake didn’t listen to his intuition, and that is the true impact of an Edmond Mobile Meals volunteer.

A letter from a client:
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Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kind and generous provision for us. For 62 years my wife has been an educated, talented, loving housewife, a great cook and wonderful housekeeper. She was a schoolteacher having taught English, business, music and accounting here in the United States as well as in Europe and Asia. She is a gifted pianist and outstanding mother of four children, 13 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
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Unfortunately, these past few years Alzheimer’s disease has robbed her of most of these abilities. She can no longer answer the phone, operate a TV remote or use any normal household appliances, which leaves her feeling helpless and of little value to herself or anyone else.
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Her high point of every day is discovering what Edmond Mobile Meals has brought her for lunch. The people who come to the house to deliver meals always bring a smile and a word of cheer and even when she hides in the other rooms to watch me answer the door, it is a true source of joy for her.
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Thanks for all you do. It is very helpful for us to remain in our home.

Letter from a client:
Mrs. B and I are incredibly thankful for the work you do. My wife is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for Ovarian cancer and I have just been diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure after going through a quadruple bypass surgery. To say we are “somewhat limited” falls short of reality. So, thank you, thank you, thank you.

The meals you provide are deliciously prepared and satisfying to the palate. We sit together for our meals and marvel at the skill it must take to come up with the menu you provide and to have the people so skilled at preparation that we have never been disappointed. We are thankful for such delicious and nutritious food to be delivered to our door is beyond belief.

A letter from her daughter to a volunteer:

Dear S,

Thank you for checking on my mother. The day you delivered lunch to her; she was alone and had fallen with no electricity for her oxygen. I believe God sent you as her angel that day. My mom cannot survive without oxygen and passes out within 10 minutes. It was no coincidence that you were the one to bring her lunch that day and you arrived exactly when you did. You could have knocked and left, but you were patient and cared about ensuring the elderly person that lived there was okay. Thank you for your patience and thank you for saving my mother’s life.

A letter from a client:

Special thanks to every person who is a part of the Edmond Mobile Meals program. You will never know how much I appreciate it. I moved to Edmond 5 years ago and have had 2 strokes. I am unable to drive my car. Your meals have enabled me to stay in my home. This means so much to me. The meals are so good, and the volunteers are so pleasant and thoughtful. Keep up the good work!

My volunteering with Edmond Mobile Meals began because I wanted to give back to my community in a meaningful way while completing my internship hours. What I did not expect was how quickly it would become something I looked forward to each week. Over the past several months, I have had the opportunity to help in many ways, from delivering meals and conducting wellness checks to working in the kitchen and assisting with special projects. Every time I walk through the doors, I am reminded that even small acts of kindness can make a tremendous difference.

One of the most meaningful parts of volunteering has been delivering meals to clients. Many of the seniors I visit live alone, and for some, I may be the only person they see that day. While a warm, healthy meal is important, I have learned that the conversation, smile, and a few extra minutes spent checking on them can mean just as much. One day, a client told me she had been waiting by the window because she knew I would be coming. She said seeing someone and having a few minutes to talk made her whole day. That moment reminded me that what we deliver is so much more than a meal.

Clients share quality moments with us daily and they are excited to see someone. Those moments stay with me. They remind me how important it is for people to feel seen, valued, and cared for. Sometimes clients need help bringing in their mail, packages, or medical deliveries, or even putting on a necklace. I am always happy to help however I can. I also enjoy wearing bright colors or fun patterns on my routes because many of the women love talking about fashion. Those conversations often lead to smiles, laughter, and a little extra joy, reminding me that even the smallest interactions can brighten someone’s day.

I have also spent time helping in the kitchen, where I have seen the incredible dedication that goes into serving the community. Each day, fresh meals are prepared, packed, labeled, and organized for delivery. I have helped pack meals, label containers, sort deliveries, and clean up. The team's compassion inspires me every day. Chef Toni, Chef Matthew, Cristi, Cati, Kim, and so many others make everyone feel welcome, encouraged, and cared for. Cati, especially, has been my saving grace. I am so appreciative of her willingness to make things happen and her ability to go with the flow while remaining professional and encouraging. She has taken the time to read my weekly narratives, answer questions, and make me feel truly welcome in a new environment. They all truly love what they do, and it shows in everything they do behind the scenes.

What moves me most is seeing that Edmond Mobile Meals provides so much more than food. Clients receive connection, consistency, and comfort. The countless hours the volunteers deliver meals while carrying in packages, check on clients, and spend extra time with those who need it. Through this experience, I have learned that helping others often means reminding people that they matter and that they are not alone. Volunteering with Edmond Mobile Meals has become one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It has strengthened my desire to continue working in a helping profession, and I will always be grateful for the people I have met and the stories I have been fortunate to be a part of.

I signed up for the Friendly Visitor program. Being matched with a client has resulted in a sweet friendship that is very special to me. I really enjoy our visits and learning from her 90 years of life wisdom.

Volunteering at Edmond Mobile Meals is the best thing I have done in my retirement. It has been fun to meet a lot of wonderful people.

One of the clients on my delivery route didn’t answer the door or the phone. I went next door where a family member lived and let them know we couldn’t reach her. The client had passed out on the floor and because the family was able to check on her immediately and get help. Edmond Mobile Meals played a role in saving her life that day and the family was incredibly appreciative.

After a stroke changed my life, I took a mental inventory and realized one way I could enrich my life was to help others. Edmond Mobile Meals has not only enriched my life, but I have made some beautiful friendships on the route that I have delivered for almost 20 years.

I choose to spend my time volunteering at Edmond Mobile Meals because supporting the aging population is very important to me. It makes me sad to think that there are grandparents and older adults who may not have anyone to check on them. Volunteering allows me to make a small difference by helping provide meals, connection and kindness.

I have encountered some serious medical situations on my delivery route that could have had terrible outcomes had they not received a meal that day. It makes you keenly aware that you may be the only person they encounter for the entire day and that you are instrumental in their safety and well-being. The clients become very dear to you.

I love it when the recipients call me by name. I feel like a true friend and not just a delivery driver. I consider this a favorite activity of my whole month.

The Homes by Taber staff loves volunteering with Edmond Mobile Meals. It is our most requested volunteer opportunity.  Our team loves the immediate impact of delivering meals to seniors in our community.