Meals on Wheels of Alameda County

I worked with Marisa Melo in the past and she was nothing but friendly. I made a small donation to help with the 7th Annual Wheels for Meals Ride.... and I am happy to see it's helping others in need.

A great organization to work with, for a great cause!

I have volunteered with ACMOW for the past 5 years, supporting the fund-raising efforts. One of my favorite activities is the annual "Wheels for Meals Ride", which just successfully completed its 5th year.

The ride was a dream of the Excecutive Director and her husband; the first year, there were just over 380 riders on 3 routes - 15-mile family friendly, 35-mile somewhat challenging, 70-mile very challenging - to over 1100 riders this year. The ride is fully supported - safety, route markings, rest stops, picnic, music, local vendors, volunteers - which requires a LOT of coordination and attention to detail.

The best thing is fundraising and funraising for this event - it is now a "must do" to help support our local seniors. Without the dream of the ED and a dedicated staff of 1, friends and volunteers to make the event happen, the fundraising in a fun way would also not happen. This year, more than $170,000 was raised - a boon for the senior program!

I am honored to work with the organization that continues to look for new and exciting ways to involve varying community members to help support our seniors.

ACMOW does amazing things with very limited staff time and budget. I am always amazed at what they can pull off. Executive Director Cindy Houts instituted a bike ride, which has grown to over 1,000 riders and volunteers in just three short years. This event has become a fundraising powerhouse, helping to feed hungry seniors in need. You just can't find a non-profit that does as much good in a person's life for just $6 a day.

I vo;lunteered as part of the committee organized the 2011 Wheels For Meals ride. It was one of the most satisfying and rewarding experiences I have had. They meetings were well organized and focused on providing an event that was fun for the participants and successful in reaching the goals of the ACMOW. I look forward to working with them again.

As a dietitian whose program benefits directly from the efforts of ACMOW, we so appreciate the energy, enthusiasm and vision that this group embodies. They are tremendous cheerleaders for the Meals on Wheels programs in Alameda County, and the amount of money received from them keeps increasing. They are run efficiently and with great leadership, both from the ED and board.

I begin by sharing why my husband and I became an integral part of Alameda Meals on Wheels. It goes back 15 years to Iowa where in his last days, my father was a client. When time came for the volunteer to appear at his door, our conversation waned as he looked at the clock and asked, "she should be here by now, hope all is ok". That in itself tells the connection "clients and volunteers" make through this service.
Alameda County Meals on Wheels supplies a truly necessary service for those who would otherwise go without the bear essentials to survive life, food and water. Not only do they do this, they also supply a lifeline via the nurturing volunteers who so kindly step up to see to it the recipients receive their daily meal. In this wonderful country of ours, it is sad to know some who "fall between the cracks" and ACMOW helps to ensure those who are in need are not lost. Especially what with the challenging economy we have been experiencing, this is a necessary service we can all be thankful for.

This non-profit makes THE difference for local underfunded meals on wheels programs by fundraising for meals on wheels programs. The agency is small but effective. Meals on wheels is a critical community service for seniors!!

They birthed us, fed us, shepherded us, advised us, protected us, loved us, despite our shortcominge, insecurities, and indiscretions. The LEAST we can do is make sure our elders are warm, fed, and comfortable in their last years. That's what Alameda County Meals on Wheels (ACMOW) is all about. My time as a volunteer never feels like a burden. It feels like I am giving back. Whether it is an annual event, like the Wheels for Meals (Fun) Ride (WFMR) in Livermore or the Five-Star Night Gala Dinner, Dine-Outs, or any of the other fund-raising programs run by ACMOW, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling every time. Executive Director Cindy Houts is a dynamo -- conceiving of and pulling off multi-faceted, fun, complex projects and rising to new heights every time. ACMOW provides opportunities for ALL of us, who should be very grateful indeed, a chance to show our Seniors that they are valued.

ACMOW and its member agencies change lives one meal, one delivery, one day at a time. Whether its a warm meal, a smile, or even a daily check-in, the work of ACMOW helps 2,000+ people every day.

I have volunteered with Alameda County Meals on Wheels since I moved to California 4.5 years ago. I have had the opportunity to not only learn about the local programs and work on events with them, but deliver meals as well. This organization is run by incredible, hard-working people that genuinely care about the well-being of these senior citizens. Without these meals, some of these individuals would never eat as they are unable to get food on their own. I have also worked on the two large events run by the organization, and the effort put in to raising funds for the meal recipients is unbelieveable. The board of directors contribute so much as well with recruitment, donations, and helping to run the organization as efficient as possible. The executive director also pours her heart and soul in to the organization to help these homebound senior citizens as best they can. They have raised record funds in the most recent years to help fund the location meals on wheels organizations. Alameda County Meals on Wheels is a blessing to the senior community.

Alameda County Meals on Wheels is a lean, well-run organization that uses it's fundraising capacity to help local agencies provide over 2,000 meals each week. In this time of severe cut backs, prepared, nutritious meals, delivered to the home, make a big difference in seniors' health and independence.

I have assisted in quite a number of ACMOW's events and the women that help fun the organization are wonderful. Their Board of Directors is phenomenal. Each year the organization strengthens its ties in the community and grows its events. It is hard with just two or three people running an entire organization so it sometimes hinders the ability to expand ideas for events because there is no enough assistance to get it all done. Budget-wise, this organization does a great job of making sure that the low income, homebound seniors benefit from every dollar that is collected.

Alameda County Meals on Wheels makes it possible for the local Meals on Wheels providers to continue to deliver warm, nutritious meals to the most vulnerable and frail seniors in Alameda County. As the largest provider of meals on wheels in Alameda County, Bay Area Community Services (BACS) receives critical funding from ACMOW so that we can continue our mission to keep older adults connected to their communities. We are able to serve hundreds of older adults each year because of ACMOW. Jamie Almanza, Executive Director, BACS

My mother in law's use of Meals on Wheels introduced me to their fine work. Later I began to volunteer to assist in fundraising. From there, I was so impressed with the impact that Alameda County Meals on Wheels had on our community and how much they were able to accomplish on such a shoe string budget that I gave more time and money. Eventually I was invited to join the board of directors which I accepted.

I find that there is always more to do and more ways to accomplish our goals of feeding as many seniors a nutritious meal as we can.

I learned about Alameda County MOW last year at their annual "Five Star Event" which was a fabulous evening of gourmet food and wines. The dedication of the board members and volunteers was impressive, as was the commitment to the essential work this small nonprofit is doing to support seniors to live independently. ACMOW is a highly efficient, effective organization run by a talented and compassionate crew.

I have been impressed with the dedication and compassion of this group. They support 6 agencies who delivery meals and companionship to seniors in our commmunity.

The are very committed to the mission of enabling seniors to remain independent as long as possible.

Their work is efficient and compassionate.