Congratulations Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg!

Local Organization Celebrates 50 Years

I Didn't Realize the Joy A Knock at the Door Brings

Nearly five decades ago, I first became aware of Meals on Wheels as a teenage volunteer in Kansas. Back then, my primary interests centered around sports and hanging out with friends. I thought I understood service, but my experience with Meals on Wheels broadened that understanding in ways I didn’t expect. Our church group—encouraged by my mother, who was also my Sunday School teacher—volunteered for a day of meal deliveries.

I was struck by the organization’s seamless process and the joyful demeanor of those receiving their meals. While it may have felt safer back then to have someone at your front door, I remember thinking that some might view a knock as an interruption. What I didn’t realize was the overwhelming joy that a knock at the door can actually bring. For so many reasons, seniors genuinely appreciate receiving Meals on Wheels. At that time, our local Meals on Wheels program was just beginning to gain national traction, and I recognized not only the happiness it brought but also the essential service it provided.

Fast forward fifty years and 1,200 miles to Lynchburg, where Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg recently celebrated 50 years of service. On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, the organization hosted a reception at the Academy Center of the Arts, bringing together over 350 volunteers, business partners, community leaders, donors, and friends.

Together, they commemorated this significant milestone, reflecting on the impact that Meals on Wheels has had on the Lynchburg community and beyond.

Anniversary Celebration Recap

A timeline highlighting the last half-century of service adorned one wall of the venue, inviting guests to sign their names next to the year they first became involved with Meals on Wheels. Meanwhile, a display of memorabilia from the past five decades allowed attendees—both old friends and newcomers—to stroll down memory lane and reminisce about earlier years in the organization’s history.

Pattie Martin, anchor for ABC-13 WSET, served as emcee for the evening’s program, which featured heartfelt stories from volunteers and recipients who shared their passion for the mission of Meals on Wheels. Kris Shabestar, Executive Director, presented striking statistics about the homebound and aging population, both nationally and locally. She emphasized that the Lynchburg community has been tremendously supportive from the very beginning—through volunteering, financial contributions, and advocacy.

Scott Kowalski, Past-Chair of the Board of Directors, started the program with a welcome and overview:  "Our journey began in 1974 with a vision to make a difference, and thanks to the incredible support from people like you, we have turned that vision into reality. We have grown, we have thrived, and we have touched countless lives. With every meal we deliver, with every safety check we perform, we are creating a ripple of kindness that extends throughout our community." 

As Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg Executive Director Kris Shabestar and others shared enlightening information a picture became clearer of the growing needs within our community. The illustration was how the demand for Meals on Wheels has surged alongside an increasing aging population.

These insights underscored the critical role that the organization has played—and will continue to play—in meeting the unique challenges of an aging demographic. These powerful statistics remind us of the lasting impact that Meals on Wheels has had on thousands of lives.

An Increasing Aging Population

In 1974, there were 22 million older adults in the United States, being 10% of the population. Today, seniors make up 18% of the population, and this percentage is projected to exceed 22% by 2040. This significant increase highlights the growing need for services and support tailored to the aging demographic.

A Remarkable Growth in Service and Need

Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg have grown significantly, increasing from serving 52 people in their first year to over 1,000 this year, with an average of 725 meals delivered daily totaling 170,488 meals last year. Currently, the organization delivers on 45 routes across Lynchburg and Amherst, Bedford, and Campbell counties. Many volunteers drive nearly a collective 1,000 miles each day, covering a service area of 267 square miles.

Currently, Meals on Wheels is delivering in Lynchburg and Amherst, Bedford and Campbell counties.  The organization has experienced explosive growth over the last five years, delivering 75% more meals than five years ago, pre-Covid.  This growth creates an on-going need for new volunteers to join the Meals on Wheels family. 

From witnessing the smile of a senior citizen in Kansas to understanding the challenges faced as people age, I have come to appreciate the hope that Meals on Wheels brings not just for the body, but for the soul as well. Congratulations to Meals on Wheels of Greater Lynchburg on 50 years of incredible service and thank you for your vital role and commitment to our community as your mission continues to inspire us all.

As a teenager, I saw the heartwarming smiles a simple knock at the door could bring; now, I understand the dedication and effort that goes into making each of those knocks possible.

For more information, visit www.mealslynchburg.org.