Meet Meals on Wheels Program Director April McMaster

For April McMaster, a career in nonprofit service is an opportunity to improve people’s lives every day.

As Program Director of Meals on Wheels, an initiative of United Way of Central Alabama, April leads a team dedicated to meeting the nutritional and social needs of homebound seniors throughout Jefferson County. Her work and commitment to the community were recently featured in Bham Now.

Serving Older Adults Across Jefferson County

Each weekday, Meals on Wheels employees and volunteers work together to prepare and deliver nutritious meals along 68 routes throughout Jefferson County. The program serves approximately 1,500 older adults each day, supported by nearly 600 volunteers who help prepare meals, coordinate deliveries and assist at senior centers.

But Meals on Wheels provides much more than food.

For many homebound seniors, the Meals on Wheels volunteer who delivers their meal may be the only person they see that day. Each visit offers friendly conversation, a reassuring check-in and an important connection to the community.

Meals on Wheel case managers also get to know the clients’ backgrounds and living situations in order to identify other needs and connect the clients with resources that can support their health, safety and independence.

Meals on Wheels Program Director April McMaster and Kitchen Manager Erika Walton smile together in front of United Way Meals on Wheels logos. — Meals on Wheels Program Director April McMaster (left) and Kitchen Manager Erika Walton. Dedicated staff and volunteers prep and deliver meals to homebound seniors throughout Jefferson County five days a week. Photo by Jacob Blankenship for *Bham Now*.

A Career Centered on Service

April has worked in the nonprofit sector for nearly 15 years, including more than five years serving older adults through United Way of Central Alabama. She brings compassion, leadership and a deep commitment to people who may otherwise be overlooked.

One story in particular has stayed with her. A Meals on Wheels client shared that she gets up and prepares for the day because she knows her volunteer is coming. That daily visit gives her someone to talk with and something to look forward to.

As April explained to Bham Now, “It’s about connection, companionship and helping seniors stay engaged with the world around them.”

Those moments illustrate why a meal delivery can mean so much. Meals on Wheels helps older adults receive the nutrition they need while maintaining meaningful social connections and continuing to live independently in their own homes.

April McMaster holds a red Meals on Wheels delivery bag beside meal-warming cabinets labeled with Jefferson County delivery routes. — Meals on Wheels Program Director April McMaster sorting meals for various routes in the program’s kitchen at United Way of Central Alabama. Photo by Jacob Blankenship for *Bham Now*.

Join Us in Making a Difference

The work April and her team do is made possible by employees, volunteers and donors who believe every older adult deserves care, dignity and connection.

There are several ways you can help:

Volunteer to prepare or deliver meals.
Make a donation to support Meals on Wheels.
Refer an older adult who may need assistance.
Explore career opportunities with United Way of Central Alabama.

If you or or an older adult or someone with disabilities you know needs support, call 1-800-AGE-LINE to learn about available services.

Learn more about Meals on Wheels and discover how you can help deliver more than a meal to older adults in our community.