Social connection is nourishment for the spirit and the soul. Healthy social connections fosters self-esteem, creates happiness, offers a sense of belonging, and maintains purpose of life. Lanakila Meals on Wheels volunteers offer more than just food, they offer a window of connection to homebound seniors and individuals.
With your support, we provide healthy meals and social connection to kupuna like Elsa, a Lanakila Meals on Wheels recipient for the past four years. Elsa and Patty, her volunteer delivery driver, share a unique relationship.
“I find so much enjoyment with the bond and friendship I have with Patty and for the meals that I get from Lanakila Meals on Wheels,” shares Elsa.
They both eagerly anticipate their weekly visits, looking forward to the stories they share and the smiles they exchange when Patty delivers Elsa’s meals. Elsa has been dealing with some health issues, including a recent hip surgery. She finds comfort in the weekly meals provided by Lanakila Meals on Wheels and her treasured visits with Patty.
March is Meals on Wheels America’s March for Meals Month. Volunteers like Patty offer a lifeline to individuals like Elsa. Our Lanakila Meals on Wheels program engages over 250 volunteers who deliver over 4,000 nutritionally balanced meals to more than 800 homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities each week. Additionally, we provide hundreds of hot meals to seniors at our Kupuna Wellness sites to keep them active and healthy. Still, hunger and access to nourishing food remain critical, affecting approximately one in ten seniors in Hawaii. (Meals on Wheels America, 2024 Hawaii Report).