Each time Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett rapped on a front door Friday, he was greeted by a Boulder resident wearing a smile on their face.
After he handed over a meal, Brockett spent time chatting with each resident — letting them know he and volunteers from Meals on Wheels of Boulder were there to provide more than just food. They were there to provide an in-person connection, too.
“It was such a treat to ride along with Meals on Wheels volunteers and see the happy faces of people when they got their hot meals,” he said. “You really saw that connection being made when people came to the door. Everybody smiled.”
Brockett spent the day volunteering with Meals on Wheels of Boulder on Friday as part of the organization’s March for Meals event.
The event is being held through Thursday in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Older Americans Act Nutrition Program amendment.
Shoshana Fanizza, development and marketing manager with Meals on Wheels of Boulder, said the amendment released more funding to Boulder’s organization and other Meals on Wheels programs throughout the country. Meals on Wheels of Boulder provides meals and a daily well-being check to Boulder residents who may not have access to good nutrition or much human interaction.
As part of the event, John Tayer, president and CEO of Boulder Chamber of Commerce, will ride along with volunteers Monday and will also handout food to clients in the city.
On Wednesday, Carol Riggs, former owner of Sturtz & Copeland Florist & Greenhouses will go out with the volunteers to pass out meals and on Thursday, Boulder County Commissioners Claire Levy and Marta Loachamin will volunteer with the organization.
Meals on Wheels also is sharing the stories of clients, volunteers, donors and sponsors as well as hosting a virtual mini concert during the event. Both stories and the concert are available at mowboulder.org/marchformeals2022/.
Fanizza said Meals on Wheels had an event similar to March for Meals once before, but it was years ago.
“Today went really, really well,” she said. “We were delighted to have the mayor here.”
The organization is also hosting a text-to-donate campaign through the end of March, Fanizza said. The goal is to raise $10,000 to support the Meals on Wheels of Boulder mission. To donate, people can text MARCHFORMEALS to 44-321.
“We do not take any federal or state funding so we are able to serve anybody regardless of age and income,” Fanizza said. “These types of fundraisers are crucial to us because we need to raise the money other Meals on Wheels would be getting from federal and state funding.”
Meals on Wheels of Boulder served more than 950 clients in 2021, a 33% increase from 2020, Fanizza said.
Tayer said he looks forward to volunteering with the organization on Monday. He said he and his wife have supported the organization for years.
“My wife and I have been supporters of Meals on Wheels because my wife’s father was somebody who needed the support to make sure he was fed and had personal contact,” he said. “It was an incredibly valuable service.”
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