May 01

woman in apartment building lobby delivering meals to older adults

A Year of Volunteer Meal Deliveries

Springwell’s Home Delivered Meals program faced severe staffing challenges when employment programs closed under the emergency order in March 2020. People like Eugenie Coakley swiftly answered Springwell’s call for volunteer drivers one year ago and have kept the home-delivered meal program on the road ever since. We asked Eugenie about her experiences. “People always appreciate […]

Jan 27

older woman looking contemplative

Isolation Compounding the Risks of Elder Abuse During the Pandemic

Since March of 2020 it has been necessary for older adults and other high-risk individuals to stay home as much as possible to avoid exposure to COVID19. While vital to their well-being, it is not without potential cost for those at risk for elder abuse. Victims may experience emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, financial exploitation, self-neglect, […]

Dec 03

man holding sign for promoting Meals on Wheels

CitySide Subaru Visits Meals on Wheels Distribution Site to Share the Love

Many seniors are struggling to stay independent and healthy. One in four seniors lives alone in isolation and one in seven seniors might not know from where their next meal is coming. To help alleviate these challenges, Springwell provides nutritious meals, friendly visits, and safety checks to the seniors in Belmont, Brookline, Needham, Newton, Watertown, […]

Nov 19

Share the Love with Vulnerable Seniors This Year

Exciting news! For the 13th year running, the Meals on Wheels network is participating in the 2020 Subaru Share the Love Event. Over the past twelve years, Subaru and its retailers have helped Meals on Wheels to deliver more than 2.3 million meals nationwide to seniors in need. Why does Subaru support Meals on Wheels? […]

Jun 11

Volunteer Home delivered meal driver

What a difference a volunteer makes!

In 2015 at age 52 Ann McWalter sustained a traumatic brain injury which ended her career as a physical therapist overnight. “I wanted to be a physical therapist since I was 14. My career gave me a sense of identity, purpose and meaning. I loved the challenge of figuring out how to help people with […]

May 15

Linda LaSalle of Newton: Volunteer Home Delivered Meal Driver

Prior to the COVID19 pandemic, Linda LaSalle loved her work as a music therapist for older adults at Milton Hospital and in her private practice. When the shelter at home order went into effect, Linda’s music therapy was halted. During a period of quiet reflection, Linda realized that she needed a role to help her [...]

May 11

David Simpson of Watertown: Volunteer Home Delivered Meal Driver

When COVID19 hit Massachusetts, David Simpson was between jobs and had just started to interview for a new job as an advertising production manager. Since the hiring process was slowed due to the pandemic, David looked for a valuable way to spend his time. He saw the request for volunteer home delivered meals drivers on [...]

May 08

Jodi Wolk of Brookline: Volunteer Home Delivered Meal Driver

Before the COVID 19 pandemic took hold in Massachusetts, Brookline resident, Jodi Wolk focused her energy on her interior design business and playing tennis. For now, she has put those pursuits aside to  volunteer for Springwell, delivering meals daily to homebound seniors. Jodi learned about Springwell’s urgent need for volunteer drivers through the Brookline Mutual [...]

May 05

Joe Coen of Newton: Volunteer Home Delivered Meal Driver

Joe Coen, a lifelong Newton resident, retired on March 4 after working in MIT’s Event Office for 21 years. An energetic man, Joe planned to travel, send his friends postcards and visit Boston sites in a way that he never had time for while working. A week later the world changed due to the COVID-19 [...]