Meals on Wheels provides more than just food to Bucks County. 'It fills a void.'

Growing up in Central Pennsylvania, Kevin McDonnell has fond memories of his father volunteering for Meals on Wheels.

Having been exposed to the organization as a kid, McDonnell, board president of Meals on Wheels of Central Bucks County, said he knew he wanted to volunteer for the organization once he retired, and was a volunteer driver for seven years.

This June, the organization celebrated its 50th year of operation in Bucks County. It wouldn't have been possible without the volunteers in the community, according to McDonnell.

"We never had an issue with having volunteers ready to step up," he said. "That's something that has been critical for us to survive for 50 years."

Since 1972, Meals on Wheels has provided fresh and nutritious meals to people in the Central Bucks community, but more importantly, it's provided an interaction with locals, which has been the most rewarding part to see, McDonnell said.

“Knowing that you're helping people that need you in the community, servicing those individuals who might otherwise be overlooked, is rewarding,” he said.

While the organization has delivered over 1.3 million meals throughout Central Bucks, McDonnell said what separates it from other food delivery services is a wellness check.

Pre-pandemic, McDonnell said a lot of clients' children lived in different areas or states, so spending a couple minutes with the clients, asking how they're doing and monitoring their living situation, is part of the organization's objective.

“When you do the driving and you see people's faces light up when you're there, It's more about them seeing someone than actually about the food,” Andrea Callan said.

Callan, a board member of one year and volunteer of four years for Meals on Wheels, said the check-in gives many families peace of mind.

For 50 years now, the organization has been committed to “helping homebound individuals maintain their independence and to age in place in their own homes.”

Monday through Friday, volunteers package and deliver two daily catered meals, one hot and cold, out of the Central Bucks Senior Center in Doylestown Township.

Alyce Tyler has served as one of the program coordinators for Meals on Wheels of Bucks County for 26 years and to this day, she still finds herself asking, “Who can have a better job than I do?”

Before her coordinating days, Tyler and her husband volunteered for the organization for 12 years and she’s loved working with the volunteers and clients since.

“It’s just a valuable job,” she said.

“I feel like I’m doing something worthwhile for other people. I always wanted to help people, whatever jobs I had, I wanted to help somebody's life become better and that's what we're doing.”

More on meals:Universal free school meals to end. How to re-apply for reduced-price lunches in Bucks County

More like this:Hundreds volunteer to Knock Out Hunger in Bucks County. 'We have families who never expected to need help'

Susan Philipps, a volunteer driver of four months, said volunteering has given her a better idea of how to help people in the community.

“I just think it's really an amazing resource for people,” said Philipps. “It's nice to know that someone's coming to your door, for whatever it may be. It may not be just a meal, just to have someone to say hello to and check in on.”

Through volunteering, Philipps, 58, of Doylestown, said she’s been able to learn what a valuable organization this is.

Jim McGowan, another volunteer driver, said he likes seeing the faces of the people he delivers food to because his might be the only one they see that day.

McGowan, 72, of Doylestown, said his biggest takeaway has been realizing the importance of taking care of others.

“I’m fortunate that I’m able to do this. I’m helping provide because I’m able to physically, mentally able to,” said McGowan. “Someday, I may very well be on the other side of needing that support.”

Though the majority of the clients are seniors, McDonnell said a common misconception about the organization is it’s a financial and age-based program.

However, any resident who lives within the communities of Central Bucks and needs help preparing their own meals, can qualify with no income limitations.

“It doesn't have to be a long-term solution for people,” said McDonnell. “We just want to make sure that you're getting food and you're being taken care of.”

Separate from the national Meals on Wheels organization, McDonnell said the Central Bucks program doesn't receive any government funding and is privately funded through corporations, individual donations and grants.

Organizations like Woodside Meals on Wheels, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, Klein-JCC’s Home-Delivered Meals, and HomeLink's Meals on Wheels North and Northeast, also provide meals to people in the area, but are not affiliated with the Central Bucks location.

“We're just trying to make things keep going,” said McDonnell. “We're just caretakers and want to keep it rolling for another 50 (years) for people that need us in the community.”

Being a part of the organization for 38 of its 50 years, Tyler said its existence is important because a lot of nonprofits don’t exist for that amount of time.

“We fill that small void of people who just get lost,” said Callan. “They don’t have family or neighbors who can consistently help them … we’re our own community.”

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Central Bucks Meals on Wheels provides food, interaction within the community