Vulcan Materials Company’s dedication to service runs deep, from conducting its own annual workplace campaign for United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) to its senior management serving on UWCA’s Board of Directors. Since 2017, the Vulcan Materials Company Foundation has also made annual gifts to United Way Meals on Wheels in honor of its Dolcito Quarry team. Vulcan’s generosity and long-term commitment to service is very evident in the Tarrant community.
Fulfilling a Community Need
For 35 years, Vulcan Materials Company’s Dolcito Quarry Team has been dedicated to delivering meals in Tarrant. When UWCA began operating Meals on Wheels in 2016, continuing the partnership with Vulcan meant understanding the vital role these deliveries play in the lives of local residents. In 2022, Vulcan partnered with Meals on Wheels to identify additional businesses in the Tarrant community and encourage their support, resulting in the launch of a second delivery route.
“Maintaining a relationship with local businesses is key to the success of Meals on Wheels. We rely on community support to serve our seniors,” said Karla Lawrence, Senior Vice President of Community Initiatives and Programs at UWCA. The Vulcan team, UWCA’s Community Initiatives leadership staff and Tarrant Mayor Tracie Threadford recently met at the Tarrant Senior Center for a check presentation from Vulcan Materials to Meals on Wheels. Threadford, who delivers meals to seniors on the Tarrant route said, “Seniors were overjoyed just to have someone to talk to.The impact as a volunteer is immeasurable.”
Always a Rewarding Experience
For Vulcan’s Dolcito Quarry team, a typical Meals on Wheels route begins with pick-up at the Senior Center. Then, navigating the streets of Tarrant, they deliver hot meals one-by-one while offering a friendly greeting to what have become familiar faces.
“These brief visits provide an essential check-in with our neighbors,” said Vulcan’s Atisthan Roach. “This ensures that they feel seen and supported.”
For those considering volunteering on a delivery route with Meals on Wheels, Roach offers some extra encouragement: “When you volunteer with Meals on Wheels, you are delivering so much more than a nutritious meal. You are delivering a smile, a wellness check and a connection to the community.”
Meals on Wheels delivers meals to homebound seniors throughout Jefferson County, fostering unique connections that directly impact the recipients’ independence and well-being.
To learn more about how you can get involved with Meals on Wheels, click here.