At 88 years old, Margaret Mitchell has spent her entire life in Birmingham.
She raised four children, worked in the Mountain Brook school system and built a family that now includes 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
These days, she enjoys the simple routines of life at home, listening to church services by phone, helping with her grandchildren and staying connected with family.
As the years have passed, preparing meals has become one of the few parts of her daily routine that isn’t as easy as it once was.
“Standing long enough to cook is hard,” Margaret said. “By the time I’m finished, I’m too tired to eat.”
Rather than struggling to cook for herself every day, Margaret turned to Meals on Wheels.
The program wasn’t new to her. Years ago, when her cousin lived next door, Margaret often watched volunteers deliver meals during the summer. At the time, she never imagined she would one day rely on the same service herself. But today, those lunchtime deliveries provide Margaret with a hot, nutritious meal while supporting her senior independence at home.
One Less Thing to Think About
Knowing a meal is already prepared means Margaret no longer has to spend her energy standing over the stove – or even thinking of something to fix, day after day, for that matter
The meal itself is important, but it’s only part of what Margaret looks forward to from Meals on Wheels. Every weekday, a volunteer arrives with a meal, of course, but that person’s smile and friendly conversation also help make Margaret’s day.
“I look forward to seeing them every day,” she said. “They’re part of my routine.”
Over time, those visits have also given Margaret a greater appreciation for the people who make the program possible.
“Margaret has always been so appreciative of the volunteers,” Meals on Wheels Case Manager Monica Townsend said. “It’s been wonderful to see how much the daily visits mean to her.”
Margaret’s experience is one shared by many older adults across Jefferson County. For many homebound older adults, senior independence depends on having reliable access to nutritious meals and regular support. Each week, Meals on Wheels delivers more than 5,000 meals to homebound seniors, helping them remain independent by providing nutritious meals, safety checks and regular social connection. Last year, the program delivered 249,961 meals to 1,368 seniors with the help of 687 volunteers.
For Margaret, that support makes it possible to remain independent in the home she has known her entire life.
To learn more about Meals on Wheels and how you can get involved, click here.