Chris Smith, Tomlin St Cyr Real Estate Services’ first Founding Agent, previously spent 23 years with Mosaic as its manager of public affairs. Now a full-time Realtor, Chris also dedicates her time to Meals on Wheels as a board member and active volunteer. Since 1975, Meals on Wheels Tampa has been providing hot, nutritious meals to the elderly, homebound and disabled. The nonprofit, which receives no direct government grants or funding, serves more than 700 people in the Tampa Bay area alone.
“This year at the holidays there’s all kinds of programs that the community can get involved in,” Chris said. “You can donate non-perishable food items, jigsaw puzzles or toiletries. What we do is we make up bags to give to these folks at the holidays.”
Volunteers are the heart of of the Meals on Wheels Tampa program, donating their time and own gas to deliver food. Seventy volunteers are needed to deliver to more than 70 routes in the Tampa Bay area. Eighty-five cents of every dollar donated goes directly to feeding and visiting homebound neighbors, with $35 providing a week’s worth of meals. Also important are the daily visits to the elderly and disabled recipients, which decreases their feelings of loneliness and increases their well-being. Volunteers are able to choose which day and the frequency to deliver meals based on availability. It’s also a great way to build meaningful friendships!
“You wouldn’t believe some of the things the people are so grateful for that they can’t get out and get themselves,” said Chris.
Attend one of Meals on Wheels’ community lunches, called Nourish At Noon (NAN), at their office to taste a meal, tour the kitchen and learn more about the nonprofit; RSVP here. You can also find them online here or on Facebook here.
About Meals On Wheels of Tampa:
Meals On Wheels of Tampa has been committed to nourishing and enriching the independent lives of the homebound and seniors of Tampa since 1975. Today, Meals On Wheels of Tampa serves over 700 people with a hot meal during the lunch hour. Meals On Wheels of Tampa is a 4-star charity and relies on its community for support by not accepting government funding.
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