The Meals on Wheels organization is very well run by people with terrific attitudes who truly walk their talk. I have seen the results of their work firsthand and can testify that they provide an invaluable serivce in keeping seniors healthy and independent.
San Francisco Meals on Wheels is a first rate operation. I've been a supporter for years, as long as I can remember having money to donate. The organization is run with maximum efficiency. Greater than 80% of each dollar contributed goes directly to serving the clients. My family and I volunteered to deliver meals on Thanksgiving this year (2010) so the paid regular drivers could take some well needed time off. The Meals on Wheels staff were well organized to enable 400+ "non-professional" volunteers to deliver 1200 meals in one morning. I don't know a single charity that is doing as much work for this underserved community of seniors. The MOW service is not just meal delivery but friendly visitors, grocery shoppers, nutritional counseling, a home safety program (railings, grab bars, smoke detectors, etc.), social work and intensive case management. For 40 years, Meals on Wheels San Francisco has set the standard for alleviating the financial and emotional costs of premature and/or inappropriatei nstitutionalization of seniors.
Meals on Wheels of San Francisco is a formidable organization which communicates and fulfills its mission with excellence. I have visited their facility on several occasions, delivered meals to their clients with a veteran driver, and attended several of their fundraising events over the past few years. I see first-hand that MOWSF effectively utilizes their resources to provide for homebound seniors through several means, including the delivery of meals, social services, and human compassion.
Meals On Wheels does a superb job providing necessary services for our senior population in SF. By running an efficient organization, they are able to provide daily meals and other support services to those seniors who are homebound thereby allowing them to live at home as long as possible. My grandparents were able to do just that thanks to Meals On Wheels. The senior population is only going to keep growing as the baby boomers age so our ongoing support continues to be critical.
We have been involved with Meals on Wheels for over six years and dine different things with them. We had the privilege of going on a run with them and saw first hand what their service means to their clients We have been most impressed with every aspect of their operation. They really care about their clients and expend every effort to makeTtheir lives easier. They are very organized in all aspects of their operations and do not waste either time or money. they provide an enormous service for an amazing number of people and create good will everywhere in the community. We feel it is the top service organization in our city and feel very proud to be a part of it.
Over the past 8+ years, I have volunteered for numerous fundraising events hosted by Meals on Wheels of San Francisco. Their staff are organized, attentive and appreciative of the work of their volunteers. The events are fun despite the gravity of their mission.
My experience with Meals on Wheels SF has been nothing but positive. I've participated as a chef at the annual gala dinner for many years, as well as other events. I always look forward to MOW events because they are very organized and professional, but foremost MOW makes a difference and the organization really show that all the efforts, both of staff and volunteers matter and produce results. There are many organizations out there that look for volunteers and contributions, and they all have their worthy cause, but I will always go out of my way to help MOW and they will always on the top of my list.
This organization does a fantastic job of serving San Francisco seniors in need while providing much needed human contact and compassion. I love the additional programs such as shopper and friendly visitor. I particulary like the way the organization is able to provide an incredible volunteer experience for hundreds of families over the holidays - bringing important holiday companionship to homebound seniors and an eye-opening experience to thousands of San Franciscans who may not be aware of the need in our community, often right next door.
This is one of the best organizations around. They started helping my grandmother when my grandpa died. She couldn't cook for herself anymore and Meals On Wheels brought her food daily. Grandma would tell me how Roland "Ro-ro", the delivery driver, always had a joke for her when he dropped off her meals. There is such a sense of relief when you know that someone really cares about your family when you aren't around to take care of them. She passed away in 2006 and even remembered them in her will. These days, as hard as times are, we still regularly donate to Meals On Wheels. We know that our contribution will go to help someone else's parents or grandparents and make them smile.
I was a volunteer at Meals On Wheels of San Fran. Its great people are truly helping those most in need--isolated seniors. My opportunity with Meals On Wheels involved delivering bread to the Dorrwin B. Jones Senior Center--a congregate meal site where the seniors can enjoy meals, entertainment and activities in a safe and friendly environment--for up to 150 people a day. It's the smile on the faces when they know fresh bread is coming that makes this so rewarding.
I was fortunate enough to ride with a meals driver and deliver lunch in the roughest part of town; it was truly an eye-opening experience. Many of the elderly that we visited have no other contact with the outside world except for when they open the door to receive their daily hot meal. They live in isolation due to fear and neglect. What Meals On Wheels of San Francisco provides is vital to these seniors: Basic nutrition, human contact, a sense of genuine care.