Nourish Meals on Wheels has been serving the South Metro Denver community for more than five decades, originating from a heartfelt effort by founder Virginia Baker in 1968. What began as a neighborly gesture of delivering meals from her kitchen has evolved into a vital service. Executive Director Nancy Falk highlights the purpose of Nourish: “Our mission is to enrich the lives of older (60+) and homebound adults. We provide nutritious meals and services that promote dignity, well-being and independence.” This mission resonates with their goal to help clients age in place while maintaining their quality of life.
The need for Nourish's services is significant. "Every day, 1 in 8 older adults in the U.S. are experiencing hunger, and 1 in 4 face social isolation," says Falk. Recent findings from the Surgeon General, stating that social isolation can have health impacts equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day, further emphasize the importance of not only providing nutritious food but also addressing social isolation. Nourish does both by delivering meals alongside companionship, fulfilling two critical needs simultaneously.
With a dedicated team of more than 600 volunteers, the program delivers scratch-made meals to clients' doors Monday through Friday, serving as both a source of nutrition and social interaction. "The volunteers are bringing food and friendship," says Falk, emphasizing the personal touch that sets the program apart. Clients receive a piece of cake on their birthdays, and unique treats are added to bring extra joy on holidays and special occasions. Volunteers become like family to clients, offering meaningful conversation and the reassurance that someone truly cares by checking in on them.
The service goes beyond just weekday meal deliveries. On Wednesdays, clients receive a package of five easy-prep breakfast items to enjoy throughout the week, and on Fridays, freshly made frozen meals for the weekend, ensuring that nutritional needs are met seven days a week. There is even an option for a monthly grocery delivery of shelf-stable pantry goods. For clients with pets, this includes dog or cat food, ensuring that furry companions are also cared for.
Despite the tremendous impact, the program faces increasing demand. Nourish currently delivers an average of 700 hot meals a day. To keep up, seven new delivery routes have been added over the past year, bringing the total to 49 routes per day. However, more volunteers are needed to continue meeting the growing needs of the community.
The impact of Nourish Meals on Wheels is not just felt by the recipients but also by the volunteers. Many share how fulfilling it is to be part of such a special mission. For clients like 96-year-old Ellen, the service is more than a meal – “Nourish means a healthy meal at least one time a day,” she says – but becomes so much more. Ellen, a longtime poker player, enjoys chatting with her volunteers about the game, demonstrating how these daily interactions provide much-needed connection.
As demand grows, Nourish is always looking for more drivers. If you're interested in getting involved with this meaningful cause, you can visit https://www.nourishmealsonwheels.org/volunteer.