Both staff and volunteers celebrated the mission of Meals on Wheels.
“Everyone deserves dignity,” said Meals on Wheels Monterey Peninsula volunteer Nora Peyton.
That’s the same attitude Meals on Wheels Monterey Peninsula has had since 1972, delivering meals to seniors who need them
The golden 50th anniversary is a milestone being celebrated with staff and volunteers like Peyton.
“I am a people person. I love being on the phone with people. I love being able to truly help someone and that makes me feel good,” Peyton said.
Peyton has known that feeling. Her father was a long-time Meals on Wheels volunteer. First, he volunteered in New Jersey before coming to the Central Coast.
Peyton said even if her dad didn’t do it, she still would.
“Here we can just jump in and do what we can for each other,” Peyton said.
The program has seen at least a 90% increase in need during the pandemic. It’s meant that staff and volunteers have to learn to adapt to changing work environments.
“We’ve worked in tandem to make sure the agency not only continues to do what we’ve done, as much as possible but then also assume the growth,” said Meals on Wheels executive director Christine Winge.
“We’re as strong as our partnerships. We have many local ties and partnerships in the community,” development director, Jacob Shafer said.
Five decades of being a helping hand are delivering joy on both ends of service
“I love being in this atmosphere,” Peyton said. “To be able to do that and really be helpful, be purposeful.”
