12/14/2025
A lovely testimonial to our efforts at Meals on Wheels of Arlington....
"When you called me about speaking at your luncheon, I was honored to have the opportunity to share how much Meals On Wheels has impacted and improved my mother's life.
My mother is 97 years old with dementia. She resides in the same home that we four siblings were raised in, and continuing to stay in her home is what matters most to her. For us to admit that she needed help in order to remain in her home was difficult for many reasons. Only one sibling lives within an hour from Mom's house, two are within 3 hours, and one is 18 hours away. But the hardest reason was to accept the fact that our mother was no longer self-sufficient.
However, the first step took was contacting Meals on Wheels in 2023. I will never forget that day when K---- R----- greeted me with gracious understanding, valuable information, and assurance that this program would meet our needs. And so we said yes, and have been blessed many times over.
My mother has not been able to do her own grocery shopping for over 5 years and it is no longer safe for her to cook her own meals. This is a mother who made home cooked meals every day, was an exceptional cook, and always opened her door for many to join her family with meals. She loved to serve, and now Meals on Wheels is serving her!
Her decline over the years has been heart breaking and today we know she won't eat if she has to fix something herself because either she doesn't remember when she ate last, where things are located in the kitchen, how to operate the microwave, what food is available, or what time of day it is.
Answering the door has become more difficult for her, but over the years I have watched her wobble to the door, gladly receive the bags of food, and excitedly unpack her goodies. We have shared some of the meals with her and the food is tasty, healthy, quality food. The caterer is top notch for a service organization.
The volunteers have grown to know my mother and they have become more than just 'deliverers' of food, they have become friendly faces and friends that are providing wellness checks. They patiently wait for my mother to answer the front door and assist her with opening difficult containers. They have taken the time to walk to the back yard and find my mother sitting on the back steps, and they have called and reported when they could not get her to answer.
These are exceptional people who I can verify are caring individuals giving of themselves and their time for free. The Arlington coordinators and staff are most pleasant and efficient. They have taken extra time in communicating any changes or problems that may arise and resolving any issues.
I can't thank the Arlington Meals on Wheels staff enough for all the things they have done to accommodate us and make living at home for my mother possible. Even after my mother passes, I will continue to donate to this organization. But, donations I'm sure are not enough. I can't think of a more deserving organization to receive additional grant funding. The difference they make in so many lives should not go unnoticed."
