Homebound seniors by the hundreds, as well as individuals with disabilities, in Jefferson County depend on United Way Meals on Wheels for daily nutrition and a little social connection. Volunteers make that happen — delivering meals and checking in on the people they serve.
Among those volunteers are employees from Shipt, the nationally known and Birmingham-based retail technology company that uses their network of shoppers and drivers to deliver groceries and household essentials directly to the doors of local customers.
Shipt’s company culture encourages team members to give back to the community and serve others with care and reliability, which made partnering with Meals on Wheels a natural extension.
Finding Reward in Each Delivery
For Tierra Dixon, Data Analyst at Shipt, serving others comes naturally.
“My parents always taught me the importance of helping others,” she said. “When I was in college, I was part of an organization that volunteered regularly. As an adult, I missed that.”
It was through Shipt that Tierra first learned about Meals on Wheels — an opportunity that allows her to reconnect with the sense of service that has always been important to her.
Now, once a month, she visits the same group of clients who greet her like an old friend, often already waiting on the porch when she arrives.
“I think I’m helping them, but in reality, they’re the ones motivating me to keep going and keep volunteering,” said Tierra. “I believe helping others is what we’re meant to do.”
Routes that Build Relationships
Another team member Jewel Taylor, Human Resources Business Partner at Shipt, said her Meals on Wheels journey began for a more practical reason.
“It started as something I did for myself,” she said. “Meals on Wheels helped me learn the streets and feel connected to the community. I had no idea I’d end up getting even more out of it than I gave.”
Her routes led her through North Birmingham’s neighborhoods, and over time the role became less about dropping off meals and more about looking out for people.
She said many clients come to rely on her to check on them and notify Meals on Wheels or United Way if something seems out of the ordinary or gives her cause for concern.
“It’s really like being an extended family member,” Jewel said. That bond sometimes endures after clients are gone. Families have invited her to memorial services and even asked her to say a few words. “You realize you’re making an impact, and you’re part of their story, too.”
A Shared Commitment of Caring
For many clients, Meals on Wheels provides more than nutrition; it offers companionship and peace of mind when grocery shopping or cooking is no longer easy or possible. For both Jewel and Tierra, that mission mirrors Shipt’s own values of care, reliability and service.
“Even though Shipt delivers groceries, not everyone can afford that or even navigate the technology to order,” Jewel said. “Meals on Wheels is an extension of what we do every day — providing food and great service — for the people who need it most.”
How to Get Involved
Meals on Wheels welcomes volunteers year-round. Routes are consistent, allowing drivers to build relationships with the people they serve. Signing up is simple, and volunteers can even pair up with a friend or co-worker for their first deliveries.
“Do it,” Tierra said with an encouraging, enthusiastic tone. “Don’t even hesitate. You’ll really gain a love for doing this.”