MIFA's Meals on Wheels Program brings connection and meaning to volunteers and clients

This is the fifth story in our new series on senior food insecurity. It’s a topic that is especially important in the greater Memphis area, which has the third highest senior food insecurity rates in the country. 

MIFA has been delivering meals to homebound seniors since 1976, and while the food is the focus, it’s the connection that brings joy and meaning to the volunteers and clients. Sometimes it’s the only interaction a client might have that day. 

According to Meals on Wheels Vice President Tonya Bradley-Parker, the program at its core is about deepening connections with seniors. 

“If you ask anyone on staff, they would tell you how much they love their jobs because of the work we do in the community,” Bradley-Parker says. “We are servant leaders helping people, especially seniors experiencing isolation.” 

While the need is great and the volunteer base is strong, many still aren’t aware of the program. 

“We’ve been around for 50-plus years, you would think people know us, but there’s a whole generation that doesn’t,” says Bradley-Parker. 

Volunteers make up about 30 percent of the meals delivered. MIFAs model is not 100 percent dependent on volunteers. In fact, some funding sources require a staff driver versus using volunteers. Staff delivered the other 70 percent of meals and tallied nearly 200,000 miles just last year. To put that into perspective, volunteers drove just over 40,000 miles. In the end, it’s a team effort. 

Steve Roberts Stephanie Hunt receives a hot meal from volunteer Jody Becker.“It costs $2,500 a year per person to invest in the nutrition of one client,” says Director of Impact and Communications Ellen Whitten. “Memphis is ranked third in the nation in senior food insecurity, and there are currently 3,000 people on the local waiting list for Meals on Wheels.” 

Funded in part by the Aging Commission of the Mid-South as well as generous individuals, MIFA is gearing up for their peak fundraising season. 

As for the food, the meals are made daily by TRIO Community Meals out of Jackson, Tennessee. They arrive daily at 3 a.m. to prepare and package the meals in the community kitchen located on-site at MIFA. When I joined Lauren Ready and Jeff Squires on their route recently, the meals consisted of hamburgers, broccoli, mashed potatoes, fruit, and a roll. 

The father and daughter team of Lauren and Jeff have been volunteering for about a year, enjoying their time together and serving others.

“I had worked on a video project for MIFA about intergenerational volunteers so it only seemed natural to ask my dad,” says Lauren Ready. “You get to see more of Memphis this way and the clients are always glad to see us.” 

As for safety, Lauren and Jeff say they have never felt unsafe. In fact, they have felt welcomed by the communities they serve because the neighbors know they are there to help someone in need. 

“Candidly, when I first asked my dad, his main concern was about safety,” Ready says. “Once we got rolling and started regularly volunteering, it was never an issue.” 

Lauren’s dad is retired and loves volunteering with his daughter every other Wednesday. 

“It’s very rewarding,” he says. “Most people are gracious and happy to see us. It might be one or two words or a thankful expression. It’s touching.” 

Steve RobertsMIFA volunteers Jeff Squires, Lauren Ready, were recently accompanied by High Ground correspondent Jeff Hulett as they delivered meals.When the pair deliver meals, they diligently update the handy mobile app that allows them to add critical data to the system. 

The app encourages volunteers to observe and report things like overgrown grass or a change in behavior. It also gives an option to mark if the person they were going to serve wasn’t home or was at a doctor’s appointment. 

MIFA does a lot more than Meals on Wheels, but it’s a good starting point to learn about their programs and services. 

MIFA always needs coverage week-to-week as regular volunteers might not be available. Not to mention special occasions like holiday meal delivery. Volunteers are currently needed for 120 routes on Saturday, Dec. 21 where clients receive meals and gifts. 

“Volunteering with Meals on Wheels is a light commitment and a great way to get to know us,” adds Whitten. 

To volunteer, visit here.