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Two Meals on Wheels volunteers review the meal list for clients.
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The Driving Force Behind Food Accessibility

4/22/25 by Matt Bauer-Yuen
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From Monday to Friday, you can find Wilder's Meals on Wheels office busy with volunteers coming together for a common cause: increasing access to nutritious meals for the Saint Paul community.

In partnership with Metro Meals on Wheels, Wilder provides affordable, nutritious hot or frozen meals on weekdays to adults, older adults, and seniors living in Midway, Frogtown, and the surrounding neighborhoods of Saint Paul.

Packing Meals

Packing meals takes attention to detail, strong organization, and clear communication with your team. Volunteers often double-check their clipboards, making sure every requested item is included. These meals are thoughtfully prepared to meet a variety of dietary needs, offering options that are diabetic-friendly, heart-healthy, and culturally inspired.

Meals on Wheels volunteer grabbing supplies from a storage rack.
Meals on Wheels volunteer grabbing supplies from a storage rack.
Meals on Wheels volunteers double checking meals.
The Meals on Wheels volunteers coming together to double check that all meals have been organized and packed correctly.
Meals on Wheels volunteer looking through meals.
Volunteers have meals organized based on preferences and dietary needs of recipients.
Meals on Wheels Program Assistant, Vang Lee packing hot meals.
Meals on Wheels Program Assistant, Vang Lee packing hot meals.
Volunteer checking packing lists.
Volunteer checking packing lists.
Example of Meals on Wheels meals.
All meals are made fresh, without preservatives and exceed nutrition guidelines.
Meals on Wheels volunteers organizing meals for delivery.
Volunteers organizing meals for delivery.
Hot meals being cooked at the Meals on Wheels office
Hot meals are prepared and cooked daily at the Meals on Wheels office.
Boxes of juice
Boxes of juice for recipients to enjoy with their meals.
Meals on a cart with culturally inspired options.
Meals on a cart with culturally inspired options for recipients with different needs.

Delivery Time

Longtime Meals on Wheels volunteer Anne has been delivering meals twice a week for five and a half years. It’s become an important part of her life, and she understands the vital role she plays as a community partner. “The [meals] you’re helping deliver to people are critical. It makes a huge difference in people’s lives,” Anne says while driving her delivery route. At each stop, she’s greeted with smiles and warm words—evidence of the lasting relationships she’s built simply by delivering a meal.

Meals on Wheels volunteer posing with client she delivered to.
Meals on Wheels volunteer posing with client she delivered to.

 

During the few moments with Anne, multiple recipients expressed their gratitude for Meals on Wheels.

"There are very few things I know how to cook. If I depended on the things I can cook, I would starve to death. That's why [these meals] are important." - Meals on Wheels Recipient

"I don't really cook, and it's the only way I get lunch every day. I think [Anne's] great, it's only two minutes out of the week, but it's nice to say 'hi.'" - Meals on Wheels Recipient

"[The meals] mean a lot since I don't drive." - Meals on Wheels Recipient

Quote from Anne: It's the food more than anything that matters. But certainly, the personal contact brings a little light into their lives.
"It's the food more than anything that matters. But certainly, the personal contact brings a little light into their lives.”
Meals on Wheels volunteer, Anne, walking a Saint Paul neighborhood.
Anne, walking a Saint Paul neighborhood on her way to deliver a meal to a new recipient.
Volunteer carrying three meal bags walking towards hi-rise apartments.
Anne, carrying three meal bags walking towards a hi-rise apartments.
View of the road as Anne drives her delivery route.
After years of delivering for Meals on Wheels, Anne navigates to her recipient's homes with ease, even with local construction.

The Work Continues

Anne is just one example of the dedication and commitment shown by volunteers and staff at Wilder’s Meals on Wheels, working to ensure that local community members have a steady source of meals. The work never stops—and Anne is already prepared to start again tomorrow, packing meals and delivering them to the neighbors she knows rely on them.

Meals on Wheels volunteer, Anne, driving her delivery route.
Anne driving her Saint Paul delivery route, reflecting on the memories she's formed delivering to recipients.

Interested in volunteering with Wilder's Meals on Wheels

Support the well-being and independence of your neighbors. It takes about an hour over lunchtime to deliver meals to seniors and people with disabilities throughout Saint Paul. We encourage you to invite someone to join you. Delivering meals is a rewarding experience for friends, families, and teams of employees!

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