Independence Meals on Wheels Story Board

Each Monday and Friday morning, Joe Gall drives to Trinity Episcopal Church, just as volunteers for Independence Meals on Wheels have been doing nearly every weekday for almost half a century.

Gall is among more than 60 drivers who pick up about 800 meals a week from the church and deliver them to elderly, shut-in, or disabled residents.

The church serves as the headquarters for the non-profit organization, which will recognize its golden anniversary on Sept. 23 with a celebration at Independence Uptown Market on the Square.

The event will mark 50 years of:

• Helping people stay in their own homes instead of going to assisted living.
• Providing smiles and wellness checks for recipients who sometimes have little contact with others.
• Delivering nutritious meals for a nominal cost.

For Gall, a former Independence School Board member, the program means much, much more than donating a couple of hours to deliver meals or even the time he spends as the board president. It means helping others, serving his community, and following God.

That’s in keeping with the organization’s founding by Church Women United of Independence. Indeed, the Meals on Wheels slogan is “may those we serve see Christ in us, and we see the Christ in them.”

The organization’s importance touches many aspects of the city.

“I’ve been impressed by the breadth of community involvement,” Gall said. “Just meeting the drivers and the folks on the board, that’s been good. And I’ve been impressed with what a great service it is, getting to know the people we deliver meals to.

“I think for many people, it’s an opportunity for them to maybe stay in their homes when they otherwise couldn’t. It’s helpful to families because you’ve got aged parents and kids who look after their parents, but I think it gives them peace of mind that they’re going to have a warm square meal every day. It’s also for the folks who are homebound, I can only imagine how lonely they are, and I get the distinct feeling that their face just lights up when you bring a meal to them, and I think it means a lot to them.

“You get to know the people pretty quickly.”

Her church home, memories of mom, and the COVID pandemic conspired to bring Margaret Baldomino to Independence Meals on Wheels as its program manager in 2020.

She had recently retired but still wanted to work part-time. COVID, however, was limiting job opportunities.

“And it just felt like this was a gift from God, because this is my home church at Trinity,” Baldomino said. “The job itself is just wonderful, and it’s been a great fit.

“For years…when my mom got older, she needed help. And I always thought, ‘When I retire, I would like to do something to help older people.’ It happens that this fits the bill because you’re really helping a lot of older people every day.”

When she started, Baldomino said 127 people receive meals each week; now the number is nearing 180.

“My vision would be able to see us continue with what we’re doing but maybe grow even more…because the need is out there.

“I’m thankful to be here and thankful to be part of it. We have great volunteers. People call and say how much they appreciate for the service we provide. And I get so many calls telling me how nice our drivers are and how glad they are to see them every day.”

Betty Schons’ life shifted dramatically because of a benign brain tumor that was removed about two years ago.

Its effects were devastating. The swelling in her brain permanently robbed her of vision in her right eye. Balance became a constant obstacle before the surgery, resulting in falls, including one that fractured both feet. In addition, macular degeneration is sapping the vision in her left eye.

Today she’s coping with the help of family, a walker, and Independence Meals on Wheels.

“I’ve met some wonderful people who deliver the meals, so I look forward to seeing them every week,” Betty said. “Not being able to see very well, I can’t really do a lot of cooking, and Meals on Wheels…takes that worry off of me.”

She says the contact with the drivers who deliver meals is important because opportunities to interact with other people are limited.

“I look forward to seeing them every day. I can’t really go where I have to do a lot of walking because I tire out. And you don’t want to put me in one of those motor carts because I’d probably run over everybody.”

She feels a special connection with one driver.

“Her mother had macular degeneration, so she understands what I’m going through, and she has given me some tips.”

What would Betty tell others about the program?

“I would tell them they couldn’t go wrong. The service is wonderful, the people are wonderful, you get good meals, and it takes a lot of worry off yourself. It’s a wonderful organization!”