Can you believe it? 2020 is nearly over and yet there is still so much to accomplish! We are beyond grateful for each and every one of you, dear readers, who have invested your time, energy, love and support into Meals on Wheels of Lancaster this year. We are astounded by the immense dedication this community has extended to us. We’d like to share some of the struggles and accomplishments as well as a few upcoming things to look forward to at Meals on Wheels of Lancaster.
But, first, THANK YOU!
This year has been unlike any other but if you have spent any time in the kitchen these days, you very well know that “today is the best day ever!” and that’s just how it is around here. We have welcomed a new Executive Director (Feleen), Kitchen Manager (Huntyr) and Prep Cook (Georgette). We are also blessed to have welcomed 391 new volunteers and 424 new clients. We are also in the process of merging with the Paradise Area Meals on Wheels program– so, we welcome you as well!
While it is perfectly accurate to say that Meals on Wheels of Lancaster has a new face these days– it is so important to acknowledge that there are many, many members of our community who could not continue to be involved with Meals on Wheels because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Your need to prioritize your health and wellbeing is significant. We value all that you have offered to us and continue to offer the community, despite the circumstances. This is not but a small gesture on our part but we understand the difficult decisions that you, personally, have had to make this year. We wanted to take this moment to recognize each one of you. Thank you.
As of October 31, we have delivered over 174,500 meals to 912 clients (total). To accomplish this, in light of the pandemic, we set up the parking lot pick-up and built two new routes. This could not have been done without the generous support and flexibility we have received from all 800 volunteers (total, this includes 391 newbies mentioned earlier). Volunteers! You have driven more than 112,600 miles and committed more than 36,600 volunteer hours. We haven’t even mentioned the 1,000 shelf-stable meals we distributed in May nor the 1,500 insulated bags we have handed out to clients and volunteers. Can I get an AMEN? You, dear readers, are awe-mazing. Let’s keep this going!
As 2020 comes to a close, we have several opportunities for you to share with friends, family, coworkers, neighbors about the incredible work that we have accomplished together. Please, grab a seat, buckle up, and read on!
What about the new building?
If you ask Feleen when we are moving, she will say: “Eventually…” Like many of you, we are very much looking forward to moving into our new facility on Columbia Avenue! We have experienced many delays as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic but the work is well on its way to completion. We are immensely grateful to our contractors for their endless patience and flexibility this year. We would not have made it this far without their hard work. We are working diligently to wrap up the installation of kitchen equipment and are so very excited to receive furniture for the offices and event space by the end of this year. As you can imagine, the fresh coats of paint and new flooring give the entire building a brand new look! We cannot wait to get there and we look forward to keeping you informed as we navigate the final stages of the renovations process.
The Extraordinary Give 2020
On November 20th, the Extraordinary Give will be hosting a virtual event from 5 PM to Midnight with a special LIVE show from 9 PM to 10 PM! This is the largest giving day of the year in Lancaster County and we invite you to “give extraordinarily”. Last year we had hosted an in-person event at our facility on Columbia Avenue and we raised a record-breaking $82,000! We hope to do so again this year but in a world of virtual events, we need you to help us spread the word more than ever before.
Capture your most enthusiastic selfies & videos with family and friends to share with Lancaster County why you choose to #GiveExtraordinarily to Meals on Wheels of Lancaster. Don’t forget to tag us on social media using the hashtag #GiveMOW #MOWorNever and #LancMOW! For those of you who might be a little “old school” you can email them to us at info@lancastermow.org There are flyers available here to print out as props. To learn more about the ExtraGive, please visit us: https://www.extragive.org/organizations/meals-on-wheels-of-lancaster
Spend a (virtual) Day with Mr. Bill Hower, Meals on Wheels Client
Click image below to open video or click here
Subaru Share the Love Event
For the 13th year in a row, Meals on Wheels America has been invited by Subaru of America, Inc. to participate in its annual Share the Love Event. Share the Love has helped deliver 2.3 million meals to America’s seniors! We are excited to take part in this incredible opportunity. Last year, and with your support, we raised over $52,000. How does it work? We’re glad you asked… Subaru will donate $250 to the customer’s choice of participating charities (that’s us!) for every new or leased Subaru vehicle purchased from November 19, 2020 to January 4, 2021. If you are looking to purchase a new vehicle this year, consider supporting Meals on Wheels of Lancaster through the 2020 Share the Love Event! To learn more about this event please visit: https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/take-action/donate/corporate-giving/share-the-love
Gifts that Give Hope
We know that many of you may be looking for alternative gifts this year– gifts that give back. That’s why we are excited to participate in this year’s virtual event, Gifts That Give Hope. This event supports local and global nonprofit organizations by providing a virtual marketplace for their goods. This year’s event will be hosted on December 5th from 10 AM to 4 PM. To learn more about where and how to shop, please visit their website: http://www.giftsthatgivehope.org/lancaster/about-us
Weekly Volunteer Orientation
If you have made it this far then you are as awe-mazing as our volunteers and, if you haven’t already, you should consider joining our team! Anyone who is interested in becoming a volunteer is invited to attend a volunteer orientation. Drop in to our location at 1085B Manheim Pike, Lancaster 17601 on Wednesday afternoons between 1:00pm and 3:00pm. Doug Hopwood is available to explain our volunteer opportunities and safety procedures, distribute any paperwork that needs to be filled out, and get you on the schedule to start volunteering on the road or in the kitchen.
Can we also take a moment to give a special shout-out to Hayley & Doug who work so hard to coordinate volunteers? Please send them some love!
Email Volunteer@lancasterMOW.org or call 717-392-4842 for more info.
