In Woodcliff Lake, Meals on Wheels is dedicated to providing both nourishment and companionship to seniors across North Bergen County—31 towns!)
Founded in 1972 with just six clients and seed money from the Montvale Rotary Club, today they’ve grown to hundreds of volunteers on 21 routes. The number of people they are assisting flows, but the average is 225 seniors per day.
A Real Need
“Our organization serves meals five days a week,” Executive Director Janelle Larghi explains. “It’s completely customizable. Some people prefer deliveries on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.”
Larghi notes that cooking for one can be challenging and that many clients struggle with getting to the store. “We are providing them with needed nutrition,” she adds.
While most clients are seniors, Meals on Wheels also offers a disability plan for those who qualify.
Larghi, who describes her role as her “dream job,” began volunteering with Meals on Wheels about 10 years ago alongside her mother. “I was trying to find time with my busy mom, and one week she said, ‘Why don’t you come to Meals on Wheels with me tomorrow, and we can spend some time together in the car?’ I’ve been doing it ever since! I still do a route with my mom on the fourth Wednesday of every month.”
The team, including Larghi, works tirelessly to deliver meals with a smile, ensuring that clients receive warm meals during the holidays and throughout the year.
Unlimited Rewards with Flexibility
Volunteers find great fulfillment in their work, which is also highly flexible. “The beautiful thing is that you can volunteer as infrequently as once a month, for less than two hours,” Larghi says. “It’s wonderful. Our volunteers get up in the morning, do a good deed by hand-delivering food to people in need. By lunchtime, they’re done, and they’ve made such a huge difference in people’s lives.”
Meals on Wheels relies on its over 400 volunteers, who are crucial to the organization’s success. “Volunteering is a wonderful responsibility,” Larghi says.
Nutrition Delivered with Love
Meals on Wheels North Jersey collaborates with Meals on Wheels Rockland County, which operates a large commercial kitchen where meals are prepared. “Our driver, Nick, goes to the kitchen every morning with our client coordinator, Amanda,” Larghi explains. “They pack up coolers and deliver them to Becker Funeral Home in Westwood. There, they unload the coolers by route and print receipts. Then, volunteers pick up the food to deliver to clients.”
The volunteers often become a significant part of their clients’ lives. “It’s not just a meal we’re providing. We’re putting eyes on your loved one every day to ensure they’re okay. If they don’t answer the door, we have steps in place to check on their well-being,” Larghi says.
Small Gifts of Thanks
The organization also partners with local children’s groups to deliver handmade gifts to seniors. “Right now, we have a box of painted rocks and little magnets that some children painted over the summer for our clients,” Larghi says. “Soon, we’ll deliver these little surprises. Sometimes, people create goodie bags and other simple gifts to make a senior smile.”
For Thanksgiving, they often include special crafts or donations with the meals. “We don’t want anybody to feel isolated or lonely during the holidays,” Larghi notes. “My predecessor, Jeanne Martin, who was with Meals on Wheels for over 20 years, always went the extra mile to show people she truly loved them. I definitely have some big shoes to fill.”
We’re the Lucky Ones
Larghi and her team feel fortunate to be part of something so special. “To bring a message of goodwill to a senior—to make them smile and know that someone is thinking of them—is just lovely and so rewarding,” she says.
Meals on Wheels aims to serve as many people as possible. In general the meals are available at very low cost, but clients also have the option to apply for financial assistance if needed. “It’s a balanced, nutritious diet that we feel really good about delivering, and we’d like to do this for even more people,” Larghi says.
Joining the Team
Meals on Wheels is always looking for new volunteers. “We do this because we love it—anyone who delivers Meals on Wheels finds it to be a very rewarding experience,” Larghi says.
If you’re interested in volunteering and making a difference in the lives of seniors in Bergen County, reach out to Meals on Wheels. “It’s volunteer ‘light’ and hugely rewarding,” Larghi adds.
For more information or to fill out a volunteer application please visit their website www.mealsonwheelsnorthjersey.org.
“We don’t want anybody to feel isolated or lonely during the holidays.” - Executive Director, Janelle Larghi
“It’s wonderful. Our volunteers get up in the morning, do a good deed by hand-delivering food to people in need. By lunchtime, they’re done, and they’ve made such a huge difference in people’s lives.” - Janelle Larghi
Meals on Wheel North Jersey
Address: 32 Pascack Road, 2nd Floor - Woodcliff Lake
Phone: 201-358-0050
Website: www.mealsonwheelsnorthjersey.org