Meals on Wheels enriches the lives of both its senior clients and the volunteers who serve them. As volunteers deliver meals, they forge meaningful connections with recipients and fellow volunteers, helping to combat loneliness and fostering a strong sense of community.
One such dedicated volunteer is Joe Young. Joe embodies a no-nonsense attitude and a deep commitment to service. His gentle demeanor and rare smile reveal his caring nature as he moves purposefully through the Meals on Wheels kitchen, always busy organizing, packing meals or delivering to clients.
A Miles College Man
Joe grew up in Centerville, Alabama, and attended Miles College. He initially planned to pursue a career after accepting a job at a newly opened black-owned supermarket. However, when that opportunity fell through, he adapted by juggling various jobs while working toward a degree in Business Administration.
Never one to shy away from hard work, he balanced a grueling early morning shift at United Parcel with his studies, later securing full-time employment as a skycap with United Airlines. Reflecting on his journey, Joe observed a pattern: “United Parcel, United Airlines and United Way Meals on Wheels—there’s a symmetry there.”
A Natural Leader
Even in retirement, Joe remains an active leader. He serves as his church’s Sunday School Teacher Superintendent and trustee board chairman, among other roles. Downplaying his leadership, he embodies the qualities of a true leader—taking initiative and connecting with others.
Since joining Meals on Wheels in 2014, Joe has been there for clients in emergencies, showcasing his selflessness. He once called paramedics for a senior who had fallen and stayed by another client’s side when she couldn’t breathe. His father’s advice resonated with him: “Always try to help as many people as you can.”
“Working with United Way [Meals on Wheels] and particularly with clients has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life,” Joe said. “I don’t think you really understand or appreciate what it is all about until you go into someone’s home and see them bedridden or [unable to] talk or get around.”
-Joe Young
So Much More than a Meal
For homebound clients, Joe’s deliveries mean much more than just meals; they often represent the only human interaction of the day. Knocking on a door and delivering a meal transforms a mundane moment into a sacred ritual—an act of kindness that is not soon forgotten.
“If I can say something to make them smile, I feel good about it,” Joe noted, emphasizing that kindness can profoundly impact others’ lives.
His mission is clear: to help as many people as he can while he’s able. Joe Young’s example inspires all of us to show kindness and compassion, reminding us that even the smallest gestures can make a lasting difference.
This article was inspired by Meals on Wheels America’s “The Kindness of Joe Young.”
United Way of Central Alabama believes
No one should go hungry
United Way works to eliminate hunger through local foodbanks, summer feeding programs, distribution of free groceries, delivery of meals and more.
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