45 for 45

For the finale of our 45 for 45 series, we spotlight Vinsen Faris, Chief Executive Officer of Meals on Wheels San Antonio! 

Vinsen is nationally recognized as an advocate for senior issues, especially senior hunger and is a past Board Chair of Meals on Wheels America. With over 35 years of experience fighting for our seniors, we're lucky to have Vinsen behind the wheel as our Chief Executive Officer.  

Vinsen started with Meals on Wheels San Antonio in 2016 and hasn't looked back since! As CEO, his responsibilities include navigating partnerships, communicating with officials, and overseeing all operations of Meals on Wheels San Antonio. His leadership, especially during the pandemic and the realization of the new Meals on Wheels San Antonio Campus of Grace, has been instrumental to the organization's growth and sustainability. 

With all that responsibility on his plate, he still makes time to help deliver more than a meal to our older and disabled neighbors! Vinsen always invites those who have never delivered before to "come to deliver meals with us, knock on those doors, see who we are serving, and see what a difference you can make in San Antonio and South-Central Texas." We can't thank Vinsen enough for all he has done and continues to do for Meals on Wheels!   

Thank you to Vinsen for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels, the community, the staff, and the families we serve! 

Next, in our ongoing series, 45 for 45, we spotlight Sarah McLaughlin, Board Chair of Meals on Wheels San Antonio!   

Sarah first began her Meals on Wheels journey as a volunteer from NuStar and would deliver more than a meal to her older and disabled neighbors once a month during her lunch break. What fuels Sarah to help those we serve is knowing how much it helped her grandparents. Through conversations with family about her volunteering, she learned that her grandparents on both sides received meals and that a friendly volunteer was "often the only person to see my grandfather daily and allowed him to stay in his home longer and live independently." 

Her volunteer work led to her becoming NuStar's Meals on Wheels coordinator. This role involved recruiting volunteers, managing delivery schedules, keeping records of volunteer hours, and acting as a bridge between Meals on Wheels and NuStar. She even had the opportunity to volunteer alongside Mr. Greehey, NuStar Energy’s Chairman of the Board Emeritus! "After that experience, I knew how essential Meals on Wheels was to the community and how community leaders understood the need," she said. "I am honored to be associated with the organization."  

Sarah’s dedication to Meals on Wheels includes her family joining the Thanksgiving Day tradition of delivering a hot holiday meal and cheerful greetings! Sarah joined the Board of Trustees in 2019 and proudly serves as the Board Chair. Her current position allows her to contribute to the organization's progress and raise community awareness for the benefit of future generations. We can't thank Sarah enough for all she has done and continues to do for Meals on Wheels!  

Thank you to Sarah for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels, the community, and the families we serve! 

Next, in our ongoing series, 45 for 45, we spotlight Meals on Wheels San Antonio client Anna Marie!  

Anna Marie, 66, is a United States Navy Veteran, acclaimed artist, and brain tumor survivor. A Texas native, Anna Marie, lives alone on the north side of San Antonio. Seizures, failing eyesight, and balance issues make cooking meals difficult, and she cannot drive to leave her home, reducing her independence.     

She learned about Meals on Wheels during a trip to the VA and started receiving nutritiously prepared meals in April 2020. Her furry service companion, a dog named Pip, started receiving AniMeals in April 2021! When it comes to her favorite Meals on Wheels meal, she said she enjoys the variety of meals served, but it would be either the brisket or the omelet.    

She appreciates the meal deliveries because "many times I cannot get a ride anywhere, and I can't cook because I burn myself." She adds, "I can count on the meals and won't go hungry."     

Her favorite part about receiving meals is talking with the friendly volunteers who deliver the meals to her house. Anna Marie says she can "count on Meals on Wheels to see someone." Since she does not have many family members around, a meal delivery volunteer is sometimes the only person she will get to talk to that day. We love being a part of Anna Marie's day through meal delivery and AniMeals.    

Thank you, Anna Marie, for sharing your story! We're lucky to have her be part of the Meals on Wheels San Antonio family. 

Next, in our ongoing series, 45 for 45, we spotlight Juan Gusman, Staff Driver for Meals on Wheels San Antonio. 

Juan first heard about Meals on Wheels from a friend who delivered meals as a volunteer. Juan started in August 2014 and has enjoyed delivering nourishing meals to our older and disabled neighbors ever since. 

As a Driver, Juan delivers freshly prepared meals to our clients and provides a vital social connection as he might be the only person someone sees that day. On most days, Juan will deliver up to 50 clients in the surrounding areas of San Antonio, including Dilley, Poteet, and Jourdanton. If you spot Juan while you are on the road, give him a friendly wave! 

Juan especially enjoys "seeing the clients, the smiles on their faces when I pull up, the quick chats, and the many friends I've made and continue to make." His favorite part about working for Meals on Wheels San Antonio is his impact on our clients' lives. He says, "I never thought I would find employment where people make a big difference to the community." Juan loves our clients and Meals on Wheels, and we cannot thank him enough for all his hard work for our senior neighbors. 

Thank you, Juan, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels, the staff, the community, and the families we serve! 

Next, in our ongoing series, 45 for 45, we spotlight Sandra Roberts, Billing Specialist Supervisor for Meals on Wheels San Antonio!    

Since starting in November 2020, Sandra has been a shining example of kindness in the organization. As our Billing Specialist Supervisor, she monitors and updates our databases and helps ensure the contracts and government funding that provide client meals are administered correctly. Her work is essential "so we can have every dollar available to serve our older and disabled neighbors."   

When needed, we can always count on her to deliver nutritious meals to our clients and help our Alzheimer's Services staff during Graceful Gatherings. Her favorite part is "seeing our seniors and speaking with them... I enjoy coming to work at a job I love!" We so appreciate Sandra and everything she adds to the team's success.   

Sandra says, "I love seniors, and Meals on Wheels helps me fulfill one of my purposes of helping others!" We can't thank Sandra enough for all she does in providing more than a meal to our older and disabled neighbors!   

Thank you, Sandra, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels, the staff, the community, and the families we serve! 

Next, in our ongoing series, 45 for 45, we spotlight Jillian Huskin, Social Services Coordinator for Meals on Wheels San Antonio! 

As the Social Services Coordinator, Jillian provides our clients with more opportunities to connect and find companionship through our Friendly Visitor and AniMeals services. Our clients are typically socially isolated, homebound, and often lonely, and through Jillian’s work, we aim to help them connect to others and their community. We're grateful to have her on the team, helping and supporting our older and disabled neighbors! 

Jillian has always been passionate about non-profit organizations and how they function in a community. In fact, it was her time volunteering for Meals on Wheels that ultimately led to her current role! 

She says, "I first delivered Meals on Wheels with my aunt in Abilene, Texas. After chatting with one of the clients, we found out it was her birthday! We sang her ’Happy Birthday,’ and she invited us to take peaches from her tree."  

Because of this interaction, Jillian chose to work at Meals on Wheels San Antonio.  She really enjoys helping our clients, and that’s why she’s the perfect person for her position! We can't thank Jillian enough for all she does in providing so much more than a meal to our older and disabled neighbors! 

Thank you, Jillian, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels, the staff, the community, and the families we serve! 

Next, in our ongoing series, 45 for 45, we spotlight Sandy Sullivan, Board of Trustees Member for Meals on Wheels San Antonio.  

Since starting her Board tenure in 2016, Sandy's involvement with Meals on Wheels San Antonio has been a natural fit, aligning perfectly with her deep-rooted commitment to serving seniors in need.   

Sandy travels across the state as part of her career, delivering fraud presentations that raise awareness about protecting senior citizens. Through these presentations, she helps to safeguard vulnerable seniors and spreads the word about Meals on Wheels, enriching the lives of older and disabled individuals in the community. We're happy Sandy shares the work Meals on Wheels does for the communities!  

For Sandy, Meals on Wheels personifies the "give back principle" through our services, whether providing meals for senior and disabled neighbors through Meal Delivery and our other services such as AniMeals, Friendly Visitor, Comfy Casas, or Alzheimer's Services. 

She adds that "through the smiles on the faces of our clients, the letters we receive, the compliments received from our volunteers, and our tremendous growth, which spurred the campaign for a newer and bigger campus, it is more than obvious the change that Meals on Wheels has made, and continues to make every day, to so many lives throughout our community!" 

Thank you, Sandy, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels, the staff, the community, and the families we serve!

Next, in our ongoing series, 45 for 45, we spotlight Soh Soh Estrada, Distribution and Inventory Supervisor for Meals on Wheels San Antonio.  

Soh Soh started her Meals on Wheels journey in 2017 as a driver and found homes in different departments until she transitioned into her current role back on the distribution team. As Distribution and Inventory Supervisor, she oversees the team that packs the volunteer meal delivery routes and ensures the meals are at the drop-off sites for our volunteers to pick up.  

She loves working at Meals on Wheels because "I love making a difference, and I get the best of both worlds, meeting our clients while on meal delivery and chatting with our dedicated volunteers during route pick-up." She adds, "I look forward to the hustle and bustle throughout the day and working as a team to get our clients fed." We love working with Soh Soh to help our seniors receive the nourishment they deserve!  

Unsurprisingly, Soh Soh loves working with the team and finds inspiration by "working alongside fun, hardworking, and kind-hearted people, such as my peers, towards one mission." We can't thank Soh Soh enough for all she does in providing more than a meal to our older and disabled neighbors! 

Thank you, Soh Soh, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels, the staff, the community, and the families we serve! 

Next, in our ongoing series, 45 for 45, we spotlight Aida Castro-Snyder, former Board of Trustees member and Co-Chair of the Capital Campaign Committee for Meals on Wheels San Antonio. 

Starting on the Board in 2014, serving two terms, and serving as Co-Chair for the Capital Campaign Committee, Aida has been instrumental in forging the Meals on Wheels San Antonio we know today. She says the "San Antonio community deserved a top-notch facility to support this growing population, and the fact that I could contribute alongside an incredible team in the realization of the new Meals on Wheels San Antonio Campus of Grace makes me smile." We smile knowing our older and disabled neighbors benefit from Aida's hard work and contributions.  

Knowing Meals on Wheels "plays a crucial role in our community by meeting our seniors' essential needs, providing them with food and human contact," Aida is a regular volunteer, especially for our Thanksgiving meal delivery events! She urges others to volunteer and says if you "want to engage in one of the most rewarding activities, please sign up without hesitation." 

Along with volunteering her time, Aida donates to Meals on Wheels to help support the seniors we serve. She says the "principle of giving back fosters positive change by bringing every level of the organization together with the common goal of making a meaningful impact in the lives of our seniors every day." We can't thank Aida enough for all she has done and continues to do for Meals on Wheels! 

Thank you, Aida, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels, the staff, the community, and the families we serve! 

In our ongoing series, 45 for 45, we are highlighting Jose Lerma, Director of Special Initiatives for Meals on Wheels San Antonio!

As Director of Special Initiatives within the Donor Relations team, Jose oversees grants, corporate engagement, government affairs, and events. Jose is crucial in "telling the stories of the people we serve to community leaders, our donors, and volunteers." His contributions provide a vital link between Meals on Wheels and the community. 

In addition to his regular job duties, Jose is always ready to help deliver more than a meal to our older and disabled neighbors! He says, "I love that each time I deliver, I learn something new," and continues, "I've talked to people from all aspects of life: jazz singers, war vets, migrant farm workers, and so much more. I love to call it a Texas History tour because you'll meet someone new who has impacted our community." It makes sense that his favorite part about being at Meals on Wheels is learning and sharing our seniors' stories! 

Jose adds, "I've seen so much need in our community, especially when delivering throughout the city, that it's great to know there are resources for people like Meals on Wheels...” We cannot thank Jose enough for making a difference in the lives of the thousands of clients we serve. 

Thank you, Jose, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels, the community, and the families in the community we serve!

In our ongoing series, 45 for 45, we are highlighting Stefan Palacios, Care Coordinator for Meals on Wheels San Antonio!

As a member of our "Care Team" since 2019, Stefan helps coordinate any services our clients need beyond those we offer, which include Home Meal Delivery, AniMeals, Friendly Visitor, or Comfy Casas. If our clients need assistance with things like medical equipment, benefits signup, and much more, we know they can find the right connections to help!

Stefan loves working with our clients and is "proud to be part of a team dedicated to ensuring a holistic, healthy experience for our clients, providing not only nutritious meals but also support, safety-net services, and human connection to homebound seniors."

Stefan's favorite part about working at Meals on Wheels is having "wonderfully passionate people working in every department." He adds that "everyone wants to provide the best services for our clients."  We're thankful to have Stefan on the team, connecting our clients to those crucial services and providing more than a meal to our older and disabled neighbors! 

Thank you, Stefan, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels, our veterans, and the families in the community we serve.

In our ongoing series, 45 for 45, we highlight Claire Huerta, Meal Delivery Volunteer for Meals on Wheels San Antonio! 

Claire started her Meals on Wheels volunteer journey by organizing volunteer events for WellMed, and seeing the help one meal can give led her to start delivering meals on her lunch break! She enjoys delivering nutritious meals to our older and disabled neighbors "to make a positive difference, no matter how big or small, in the lives of those I meet on my delivery routes." She adds, "You never know what someone is going through; you may be the only smiling face they see that day." We're thankful to have Claire's help delivering meals and providing wellness checks for our clients! 

Unsurprisingly, building relationships with our clients, checking on them weekly, and asking how they are doing is her favorite part of volunteering. Claire enjoys every interaction and the "slow but sure friendship built with consistency in showing up" for the seniors. Every interaction breaks that isolation, and we can't thank Claire enough for all she does for our older and disabled neighbors! 

Thank you, Claire, for volunteering your time and dedication to Meals on Wheels, the families, and the community we serve!

In our ongoing series, 45 for 45, we highlight Forrest Myane, Chief Strategy & Development Officer for Meals on Wheels San Antonio! 

A Texas native, Forrest has worked her entire career in the non-profit sector and loves the idea of spending her life in the service of others. As the Chief Strategy & Development Officer, she oversees all external communications and the teams that work with donors, volunteers, government officials, media, and community partners. These teams collaborate to support the organization by bringing in and developing the resources we need to serve more than a meal!  

Forrest is a driving force behind our organization's operations and the accomplishments we've achieved together. She always goes the extra mile, because she is ready and willing to deliver nourishing meals to our older and disabled neighbors whenever there are open delivery routes!    

Her unwavering dedication to our older and disabled neighbors is driven by her passion to help them have their basic needs met with dignity. 

It should be no surprise that Forrest loves working with her teams! She adds, "They're so creative and such great problem solvers, and it's always fun working with them to figure out the best way to encourage people to support our mission!" We're thankful to have Forrest on our team, leading the way forward to help improve the lives of our clients and our communities.   

Thank you, Forrest, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels, the staff, and the families in the community we serve. 

The next person in our 45 for 45 series is Jacqueline "Jackie" Munoz, Director of Human Resources for Meals on Wheels San Antonio!  

Born and raised in San Antonio, Jackie started her journey with Meals on Wheels in July 2019 as our Human Resources Manager. As the Director of Human Resources, Jackie oversees the Human Resource department, which helps our organization's most vital and valuable resource: employees!   

From team member benefits to important news, we can always count on Jackie for the latest Meals on Wheels information!   

Unsurprisingly, her favorite part of the day is working with "people and making their day!" She adds, "I enjoy helping internal and external customers and clients" and that "without the people, we would not be needed." Working with Jackie makes our day, and we're happy to have her on the team! 

In addition to working with the people, Jackie loves working to give back to the community and assisting those in need. Her drive and passion show through her work with Meals on Wheels with our mission to promote the dignity and independence of our seniors.     

Thank you, Jackie, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels, the staff, and the families in the community we serve. 

The next person in our 45 for 45 series is Meals on Wheels San Antonio on-site meal loading and pack-up volunteer Billy Quintanilla! 

Billy has been volunteering for almost two years and has enjoyed every minute of his time! He started his Meals on Wheels volunteer journey during our annual Thanksgiving meal delivery event and has consistently volunteered since. We can count on Billy to pack and distribute meals because he loves working with the logistics and Community Engagement teams and believes the employees are the "heart of the organization." Working with Billy on the distribution line with his fellow volunteers is always a blast! 

It should be no surprise that Billy volunteers with Meals on Wheels because "of the PEOPLE!" He adds that everyone involved in the organization "is a pleasure to work with, and I always feel welcomed when I am around." His favorite part about volunteering is "feeling like I make an impact" with the organization. Packing and distributing meals is crucial to our mission, and we can't thank Billy enough for all he does for our older and disabled neighbors.  

Thank you, Billy, for volunteering your time and dedication to Meals on Wheels, the families, and the community we serve! 

The next person in our 45 for 45 series is Daniel Garcia, Client Care Manager for Meals on Wheels San Antonio!  

An Airforce veteran, Daniel started at Meals on Wheels in October 2019 as a Friendly Visitor Coordinator. Tapping into his background in the armed forces, Daniel moved to Care Coordinator for Veterans and helped oversee coordinating services aimed at helping our veteran clients. Helping our older and disabled neighbors beyond meal delivery has remained constant throughout his time with Meals on Wheels. 

Now in his current role as Client Care Manager, Daniel oversees the "Care Team" and their efforts in helping our clients with coordinating any services they may need, such as AniMeals, Friendly Visitor, and Comfy Casas, and connecting those we serve with services beyond those as needed. He loves working with our clients and helping them with any needed resources, and we know the seniors are in great hands with Daniel! 

Daniel takes pride in telling people he works for Meals on Wheels because "it allows me to use my skills and talents to help others while also providing an opportunity to serve the community." His favorite part of the role is "working with many great people in the organization and so many wonderful people working in the community." We love working with Daniel and appreciate all his work in making our seniors feel happy, healthy, and comfortable in their homes. 

Thank you, Daniel, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels, our veterans, and the families in the community we serve. 

The next person in our 45 for 45 series is Laura Lopez, Accounting Manager for Meals on Wheels San Antonio! 

A born and raised San Antonio native, Laura started her Meals on Wheels journey in January 2021. As the Accounting Manager, she manages the day-to-day accounting processes for Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and Billing and as taxing as their work can be, we know we can always count on Laura and her team to deliver more than a meal to our older and disabled neighbors! 

Laura enjoys her time with Meals on Wheels and says, "I'm proud to be a part of a nonprofit that helps seniors in need." She adds, "Meals on Wheels has served Bexar County for many years, and I value their commitment to the community I grew up in." We're happy to know Laura can give back to her community! 

Her favorite part of her role is "enjoying the people I work with. I have met some fantastic people who share my commitment to our mission." We can't thank Laura enough for her dedication to our mission of promoting the dignity and independence of seniors who need nutritious meals, companionship, and Alzheimer's care. 

Thank you, Laura, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve!

The next person in our 45 for 45 series is Stephanie McGowan, Community Engagement Manager for Meals on Wheels San Antonio! 

Stephanie started in September 2019 as a Support Services Coordinator, working to grow our AniMeals and Comfy Casas services. Now as the Community Engagement Manager, she oversees our phenomenal Community Engagement team to help recruit and prepare volunteers to meet our client's needs.  

Over her four years, Stephanie has seen firsthand how our volunteers impact the lives of our older and disabled neighbors. She calls Meals on Wheels home because she is "passionate about the power of the community coming together to support those in need." She adds, "It's inspiring to stop by one of our pick-up sites or one of our orientations and see the number of people that donate their time to deliver a meal and a wellness check." Stephanie inspires us to give it our all when we serve our clients!  

While Stephanie loves working with our volunteers to help deliver more than a meal, her favorite part is "meeting the seniors in our program." Recently, "I was able to help deliver an AC unit to one of our Spanish-speaking clients. She told me about herself and gifted me tomatoes from her garden!" We're thankful to have Stephanie on our team, working with our volunteers and our seniors! 

Thank you, Stephanie, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve! 

The next person in our 45 for 45 series is Denise Neaves, Client Service Coordinator for Meals on Wheels San Antonio!  

Denise began her career at Meals on Wheels in May 2020 as one of two Gateway Specialists before moving to her current position as a Client Service Coordinator! 

As one of our coordinators, Denise meets with potential clients to assess and confirm they qualify and review the services they need beyond a meal. Given the nature of the position, she is sometimes the only person our older and disabled neighbors interact with during the day.  

She enjoys her work at Meals on Wheels San Antonio because "we are concerned and care about our client's well-being and know the difference we can make with one meal." Her favorite part of her day is "getting to meet the seniors, listen to them, and learn their stories." We're happy to have Denise on our team, sharing our services with the seniors in our community, hearing about their lives, and ensuring we meet their needs!  

Thank you, Denise, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve! 

The next person in our 45 for 45 series is Robert Valdez, one of our drivers at Meals on Wheels San Antonio!

As a driver, Robert's core responsibility is to deliver freshly prepared meals to our clients. Robert is one of the first drivers to arrive, prepare his routes, and leave for delivery, as his meal delivery routes take him to the areas surrounding San Antonio, including Canyon Lake, Somerset, and Losoya. If you see Robert on the road, give him a wave!

He delivers to around 20 older and disabled neighbors in rural parts of the region, driving over 150 miles every day to provide more than a meal! Since 2009, Robert has been enjoying his role in making a senior's day, and his favorite part of the job is "helping out those in need and having everything ready for delivery!" We are thankful to have Robert on our team and delivering to our clients!

When he is not delivering to our clients, Robert is a professional musician and bassist for two bands here in San Antonio. Robert rocks both on the stage and as part of the team, and we can't thank him enough for all his hard work for our senior neighbors!

Thank you, Robert, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve!

The next person in our 45 for 45 series is Sharon Baughman, former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Meals on Wheels San Antonio!   

Sharon was our CEO for 15 years, starting in 2001 and retiring in 2016. While working in the nonprofit sector her entire career, Meals on Wheels San Antonio was her first time working on behalf of seniors. Sharon shares that she "learned a lot" during her tenure and continuously operated by the principle of "always putting the client first when planning and implementing services." We appreciate Sharon's work and dedication to our older and disabled neighbors!  

Sharon especially enjoyed working with volunteers, including Board members, saying they "bring a different perspective and professional expertise that enriches the organization, and at the same time, they enrich their lives by the experience." She adds, "I'm very proud of bringing much more corporate involvement than had existed before my tenure." Whether through donations or volunteer power, commitment from companies such as Valero, Pape Dawson, Frost Bank, and others continue to help us deliver nourishing meals to our clients.  

Currently, Sharon is enjoying her retirement and traveling extensively with her husband. She keeps up with all social media posts about Meals on Wheels, and when she can, they sign up to help deliver more than a meal! We hope Sharon is enjoying all the sights, and we can't wait to see her when she is back in town and ready to help deliver!  

Thank you, Sharon, for your continued dedication to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve! 

The next person in our 45 for 45 series is Jacqueline "Jackie" Rodriguez, Gateway Specialist Supervisor for Meals on Wheels San Antonio! 

Jackie started in July 2019 as a Gateway Specialist, and five years later, she oversees the Gateway department as a Supervisor! 

As Gateway Specialist Supervisor, she helps start the clients on service, answers questions, performs delivery checks and wellness calls, and ensures everything runs smoothly in the department so the team can help our older and disabled neighbors receive their meals. We're thankful Jackie and her team are on the phones, providing comfort and relief to our clients! 

Now celebrating five years at Meals on Wheels San Antonio, Jackie enjoys working here because "I see and hear the change and the help we provide our seniors." Her favorite part is "speaking to different clients daily over the phone and listening to all the amazing stories they tell." We can't thank Jackie enough for being one of the first to listen to our seniors and the stories they share! 

Thank you, Jackie, for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve! 

The next person in our 45 for 45 series is Ariana Barbour, Director of Marketing and Communications for Meals on Wheels San Antonio!   

Ariana loves San Antonio and helping the seniors that helped shape our amazing city! Since starting in June 2016, Ariana always aims to provide more than a meal to our clients. 

As Director of Marketing and Communications, she ensures the community knows all about Meals on Wheels, the clients we serve, how we serve them, and how everyone can help us do that! She guides the voice and tone of communications so that when the community sees anything from us, they know it is from Meals on Wheels San Antonio! Along with her job duties, Ariana always finds time to help deliver more than a meal, either solo or with her delivery buddy, Adriona!  

Ariana's favorite part about working for Meals on Wheels San Antonio is "getting to spend my day alongside people who also want to improve the lives of others in their community." We love working with Ariana towards the same goal of helping our older and disabled neighbors! 

This month we are celebrating Ariana's seventh anniversary with Meals on Wheels, and we can't thank her enough for all she does for the team and the community!  

Thank you, Ariana, for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve! 

The next person in our 45 for 45 series is Monica Mosqueda, Driver III for Meals on Wheels San Antonio!    

Monica started her Meals on Wheels journey by delivering nourishing meals to our older and disabled neighbors as a volunteer for over a year. Monica loved making an impact in her community, and after seeing an opening to become a driver, Monica applied, and 12 years later, the rest is history! 

As a Driver III, Monica helps oversee the routes for her fellow drivers and coordinates communications with her supervisors and directors. After coordinating with the team, Monica will deliver more than a meal to over 50 senior neighbors in the San Antonio community.  

Monica's favorite part about working for Meals on Wheels San Antonio is "delivering the meals to our clients" and the camaraderie. I "love the company culture and working with everyone." Monica loves our clients and Meals on Wheels, and we love having Monica as part of the team! 

Thank you, Monica, for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve! 

For the 60th anniversary of Older Americans Month, we are honoring our clients and sharing their stories. So, next in our 45 for 45 series are Meals on Wheels San Antonio clients Charles and Cheryl!

Charles, 83, and Cheryl, 78, have been married for over 40 years and have lived in the home and neighborhood they love for 39 years! Both started receiving freshly prepared home-delivered meals in February 2022 and depend on the service for proper nourishment.

Charles has hand tremors that make cooking difficult, and Cheryl recently had a stroke and cannot drive. The meals they receive provide much-needed relief and nourishment. Charles says receiving the meals "is the best part of the day." Cheryl smiles, "Whoever thinks of the dishes, they know what they're doing."

With their home-delivered meals, both can focus on their health and recovery, and despite his hand tremors, Charles can continue to focus on his passion and create art. We're grateful to be part of Charle's and Cheryl's day and to help them stay independent and share their talents with the community. 

Thank you, Charles and Cheryl, for sharing your story! We're lucky to have them be part of the Meals on Wheels San Antonio family!

For the 60th anniversary of Older Americans Month, we are honoring our clients and sharing their stories. So, the next person in our 45 for 45 series is Meals on Wheels San Antonio client Luis! 

Luis, 76 years old, is a veteran that served overseas in Korea for almost three years. He received a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal during his service. Luis has been receiving home-delivered meals since 2018, has lived in his home for 13 years, and loves the neighborhood.  

Luis has limited mobility and requires his walker for support. Because of the daily lunchtime meals Luis receives, he does not have to struggle to make his food. He thinks the "meals are just great!" and he enjoys the company our delivery drivers and volunteers bring during each delivery. 

Over the past few years, Luis has fallen multiple times while getting into his bathtub. Through Comfy Casas, a service that Meals on Wheels provides to ensure that clients' homes are safe and livable, and with funding from the Texas Veterans Commission, a functional walk-in shower was installed in Luis's bathroom, and the door frame was widened so his walker could fit through the door. 

Now, Luis can safely walk into his bathroom and shower without worrying about falling. Luis's daily life has improved thanks to the Meals on Wheels services he receives. 

Thank you, Luis, for sharing your story! We're lucky to have you as part of the Meals on Wheels San Antonio family!

For the 60th anniversary of Older Americans Month, we are honoring our clients and sharing their stories. So, the next person in our 45 for 45 series is Meals on Wheels San Antonio client Michael! 

Michael, 71 years old, started receiving home-delivered meals in 2014 and has seen improvements in his health since then. Along with receiving meals, Michael also receives help from our support services. 

In April 2022, Michael was paired with his best friend, Poquito, from the City of San Antonio Animal Care Services through our AniMeals service. Michael says this was the perfect match. "Right when I saw him, I knew that was the dog for me." The two are inseparable, as Poquito doesn't leave Michael's side, and Michael sees Poquito as his emotional support animal. 

Michael continues receiving home-delivered meals and pet food through AniMeals and speaks to his Friendly Visitor, whom he talks to weekly over the phone. Michal's doctors say his health has significantly improved, and he attributes this to his meals, Friendly Visitor, and best friend, Poquito! Michael thanks Meals on Wheels for "helping me get Poquito! He's just what I needed and has been great to me." 

Thank you, Michael, for sharing your story! We're lucky to have him be part of the Meals on Wheels San Antonio family. 

For the 60th anniversary of Older Americans Month, we are honoring our clients and sharing their stories. So, the next person in our 45 for 45 series is Meals on Wheels San Antonio client Mamie! 

Mamie, 80 years old, was her husband’s caretaker for the last six years of his life. After he passed, Mamie’s health steadily declined for two years. Before Mamie’s sister in Georgia called Meals on Wheels to get her meals, Mamie weighed 100 pounds and was too weak to cook for herself.   

Mamie received her first Meals on Wheels meal in May of 2022. After just two months of receiving nutritious meals, she felt like she had more energy to do the things that bring her joy.   

“You lose your independence, but you gain new independence. It’s a beautiful thing because I don’t have to worry.” 

Mamie became a monthly donor to Meals on Wheels a few months into receiving services. “I want to donate as long as possible because there may come a day when I can’t,” she said. “And even if I wasn’t getting the meal and knew about you and that you need donors, I would still do it. I agree with what you’re doing, and being part of you now is beautiful.” 

Thank you, Mamie! We’re lucky to have her be part of the Meals on Wheels San Antonio family. 

In conjunction with National Volunteer Month, next in our 45 for 45 series is the Meals on Wheels San Antonio meal delivery volunteer Carole Linton!   

Carole has been volunteering for almost ten years and has "enjoyed every minute of it!" She learned about Meals on Wheels from her friend, attended one of our volunteer orientations, and was on board immediately. Carole has consistently delivered nourishing meals Monday through Friday! "The seniors I deliver tell me daily how much they appreciate what Meals on Wheels does for them." We appreciate all you do for our clients, Carole!

Her favorite part of volunteering is "getting to know the seniors, their families, caregivers, and even pets and neighbors!" She says, "I feel they give back to me as much as I give to them." We're thankful for all the time you give to help provide more than a meal to our older and disabled neighbors!

Thank you, Carole, for volunteering your time and being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels, the families, and the community we serve!

In conjunction with National Volunteer Month, next in our 45 for 45 series is the Meals on Wheels San Antonio meal delivery volunteer duo April and Raven Herron!  

April and Raven have been delivering with Meals on Wheels San Antonio since 2019! They're a staple on our volunteer team. We can count on them to help nourish our seniors as they regularly pick up volunteer delivery routes Monday through Friday. Some days, they will finish delivering, return, and take another route to deliver more meals to the seniors! Their favorite part of delivering is “giving back to individuals in need.”

April says they “have a passion to assist and give back to our community.” She goes on to say that “not having a grandmother growing up gives me a sense of connection. This is what I would do for her, and that's anything she would need me to do.” We can't thank them enough for all they do for our older and disabled neighbors.

Thank you, April and Raven, for volunteering your time and being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels, the families, and the community we serve!

In conjunction with National Volunteer Month, next in our 45 for 45 series is the Meals on Wheels San Antonio AniMeals volunteer group, Phi Kappa Theta Alamo Alumni Association (PKTAAA).

Aiming to give back to those in the community, PKTAAA reached out to Meals on Wheels San Antonio back in 2014 about volunteer opportunities. After hearing about AniMeals, our new service providing nutrition to the furry companions of our clients, the PKTAAA team jumped on board, and the rest is history! 

Since the beginning of AniMeals, PKTAAA has been right there volunteering to support our client’s pets. From assembling and delivering storage cabinets to coordinating caravans of vehicles and people to help deliver over 7,000 pounds (about the weight of an elephant) of pet food. They even built a pet food dispenser to make pet food packaging days more productive to help feed our clients' furry friends!

Thank you, Phi Kappa Theta Alamo Alumni Association, for volunteering your time and being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels, the families, and their pets in the community we serve!

In conjunction with National Volunteer Month, next in our 45 for 45 series is the Meals on Wheels San Antonio meal delivery volunteer duo Butch and Gena Parks! 

Butch and Gena have delivered more than a meal to our seniors since 2011!  They started their volunteer journey after "noticing how helpful it was when Gena's mother was receiving Meals on Wheels, so we decided to try it, and after 12 years, it is still a rewarding feeling." We couldn't agree more with Butch and Gena!

Their favorite part about delivering for Meals on Wheels is that it "gives us a chance to get out to meet new people and to deliver more than a meal to our new friends." We are lucky to have such amazing volunteers deliver meals to our seniors!

Thank you, Butch and Gena Parks, for volunteering your time and being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve!

The next person in our 45 for 45 series is Josh Reyna, Food Service Supervisor for Meals on Wheels San Antonio!  

Josh's work is crucial to a kitchen that produces over 7,000 meals per day! What started as a summer job in May 2010 led to learning from our Production Manager, Oscar Lucio, and becoming our Food Service Supervisor. As our Food Service Supervisor, Josh is one of the first to arrive every day at 3:30 a.m. to turn on the equipment and make the first meal batch. Knowing that we're providing a nutritious meal for the seniors has driven Josh to cook for Meals on Wheels San Antonio for 12 years and counting.  

Josh says his favorite part about working for Meals on Wheels is "coming to work knowing the meals we make and provide are going to those who need the meals." We couldn't agree more, and we're lucky to have Josh as part of our team!   

Thank you, Josh, for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve. 

The next person in our 45 for 45 series is Jennifer Mendoza, Site Distribution Specialist for Meals on Wheels San Antonio! 

As Site Distribution Specialist, Jennifer packs the volunteer routes and stocks pickup sites with nutritious meals to ensure they're ready for volunteers to deliver. Jennifer also picks up routes when volunteers are unavailable to help make sure meals get out to seniors. She is always happy to deliver, as she loves to check in on all our clients!

Her favorite part of working for Meals on Wheels is "getting to interact with the seniors! I love to talk to them and hear the stories they tell."

With over 18 years of providing nourishment to our older and disabled neighbors for Meals on Wheels, we're happy to have Jennifer and her wisdom on our team!

Thank you, Jennifer, for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve. 

The next person in our 45 for 45 series is Gina Menchaca, Client Gateway Specialist for Meals on Wheels San Antonio!

Since starting in 2013, Gina has come to work daily with extra energy and happiness that brightens everyone's day at Meals on Wheels! As a Gateway Specialist, Gina talks daily with our clients, answering their questions about support services and meal delivery and often bringing them comfort and a sense of relief by just listening when they need it most.

Gina says, "our seniors need all the help we can give them, especially now with the high inflation." Gina is always ready to help, especially for the seniors that helped pave the way!

Her favorite part of working for Meals on Wheels is "feeling satisfied with helping others in need because if I can make them feel happy, secure, and safe, then I've done my job." We are so happy to have Gina on the Meals on Wheels team!

Thank you, Gina, for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve.

The tenth person in our 45 for 45 series is Christina Avena, Director of Alzheimer's Services at Meals on Wheels San Antonio!

As the Director, Christina develops and grows Alzheimer’s services based on the community’s needs, oversees our adult day center and services, and keeps the staff inspired and ready to serve our clients. She is a fantastic motivator and mentor, and because of this, her team loves calling her "Mama Bear!"

Christina always says she "believes she is where she is supposed to be," and we couldn't agree more! Her favorite part of working at Meals on Wheels is working with the staff to "connect seniors with opportunities to make them happy and give them better days" and to "bring caregivers a sense of support and to build confidence." It's always a great day with Christina around, and we're thankful to have her as part of the Meals on Wheels San Antonio team!

Thank you, Christina, for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels, Alzheimer's Services, and the families in the community we serve.

The ninth person in our 45 for 45 series is Nelson Finch, a former Member of the Meals on Wheels San Antonio Board of Trustees. Nelson served on the Board of Trustees from 2002 to 2008 and again from 2012 to 2018 and was a member of our Time to Deliver Capital Campaign Committee. Nelson retired as an Executive Vice President of Jefferson Bank, a community partner with a long history of making it possible to deliver more than a meal to seniors and disabled neighbors.

Most recently, Jefferson Bank supported our Time to Deliver Capital Campaign for the new Meals on Wheels San Antonio Campus of Grace in recognition of Nelson's leadership and commitment to the community. His guidance over the years has been crucial to the success of Meals on Wheels. Before the pandemic, Nelson always had a smile and a kind word for everyone whenever he visited the kitchen on Babcock, and staff would light up when they saw him. Because of his commitment to the staff at Meals on Wheels, Jefferson Bank named the employee courtyard the F. Nelson Finch, II Courtyard in his honor.

We still love seeing Nelson volunteering and attending events throughout the year. He also goes above and beyond by mentoring a current Board member to ensure seniors receive more than a meal in the future.

Thank you, Nelson, for paying it forward and being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve! 

The eighth person in our 45 for 45 series is Adriona Irby Knight, Director of Individual Giving at Meals on Wheels San Antonio!

As Director of Individual Giving, Adriona works daily to thank donors for their gifts and share stories of how their support changes the lives of the people we serve. Her position is unique as she sees firsthand the community's joy in their ability to give to our mission and the delight our clients express when they receive the nutritious meals, friendly visits, and safety checks those donations make possible! It just makes sense that her favorite part about being at Meals on Wheels is "seeing the smiles on the faces of the seniors we serve."

Adriona is coming up on 17 years of service with Meals on Wheels San Antonio, and she also brings happiness to the lives of many clients and coworkers. It's easy to do when you feel like she does about work. Adriona said, "I feel like a part of something meaningful and enjoy making a difference in the lives of others." We're lucky to have Adriona as part of our staff!

Thank you, Adriona, for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve! 

The seventh person in our 45 for 45 series is Mary Tijerina, Special Diets Coordinator at Meals on Wheels San Antonio and our longest-tenured team member with 24 years of service!  

Since starting in 1998, Mary has been coming to work every Monday-Friday at 4 a.m. to prepare meals for our older and disabled clients. As Special Diets Coordinator, Mary prepares special meals for our clients, including ground and puree. Her favorite part about working at Meals on Wheels is knowing "I make a difference in somebody's life with a meal."  

Over those 24 years, Mary's made a difference in countless lives, making an estimated 22,660,729 meals. That's a lot of meals!

Mary credits her focus and determination, as well as her colleagues, for her long tenure and why she calls Meals on Wheels home. Mary says, "the people make me want to come. The people respect me here, and we all get along, making me want to wake up at 4 a.m. and come to work." She's not the only one with determination. We're determined that Mary's 25th year at Meals on Wheels will be the best yet! 

Thank you, Mary, for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels and the families in the community we serve!

The sixth person in our 45 for 45 series is Imelda Trevino, CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) for Meals on Wheels San Antonio’s Grace Place Alzheimer's Services! 

As a CNA, Imelda cares for clients dealing with Alzheimer’s & Dementia and creates, prepares, and oversees activities for Grace Place Alzheimer's Services. These activities are great for clients to socialize, create, and engage with their motor skills. Her favorite part of the role is "keeping clients’  spirits high and keeping them engaged." She says, "they go home happy and want to come back."

Imelda has been with Meals on Wheels San Antonio for over 23 years! In her time with Meals on Wheels and Grace Place, Imelda has taken "other duties as assigned" seriously.  Including meal preparation and delivery because she knows it's to help others in need. "It's an awesome feeling delivering the meals to the clients and seeing all the faces light up." 
Imelda said, "that makes my day!"

Imelda makes our day, and we are so thankful to have her as part of the Meals on Wheels team! Thank you, Imelda, for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels, Grace Place Alzheimer's Services, and the families in the community we serve.

The fifth person we are highlighting in our 45 for 45 series is Henry Ellard, a meal delivery volunteer for Meals on Wheels San Antonio! Henry has been volunteering with Meals on Wheels since 2021 and was named Volunteer of the Month in January 2022!

As a meal delivery volunteer, Henry brings nutritious meals straight to the doors of our older and disabled clients throughout San Antonio. Henry volunteers to “give back to the community and pass on my blessings to others.”

In his time volunteering, Henry has delivered 3,350 meals to our clients. But it’s not just about the food. Henry’s favorite part of volunteering is “seeing the smiling faces of our clients when they open the door and realize it’s Meals on Wheels.” We are thankful to have Henry as part of the Meals on Wheels family!

Thank you, Henry, for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels and the community we serve.

The fourth person we are highlighting in our 45 for 45 series is Rebecca Retana, Care Coordinator for Meals on Wheels San Antonio. Rebecca has been a Meals on Wheels team member since May 2020 and was recently named Staff Philanthropist of the Month for January 2023!

As Care Coordinator, Rebecca's primary focus is ensuring our clients receive the proper care and attention they deserve. This role includes assessments, wellness checks, and referring clients to other agencies to make sure clients are safe in their homes. Rebecca's passion for helping others shows through her work as she explains, "I enjoy the work I do, and I enjoy meeting with our seniors and helping our community!" 

Her passion is also why she chooses to donate back to Meals on Wheels San Antonio. Rebecca says, "the work we do means a lot to seniors, and I see firsthand how much it means to them. At times the Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers are the only people the seniors we serve get to interact with during the day, so it is nice knowing they have that support." We're lucky to have Rebecca as part of our team.

Thank you, Rebecca, for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels and the community we serve.

The third person we are highlighting in our 45 for 45 series is Esther, a longtime Meals on Wheels San Antonio client who recently celebrated her 102nd birthday!

Esther, a San Antonio native, was married to her husband for 73 years, and together, they raised six children. Esther has lived in her home for over 25 years and loves the neighborhood and her old trees. Her favorite activities include listening to music and playing dominoes with her family.

Esther enjoys the meals and company our delivery drivers and volunteers bring during each delivery because "they're very patient, and they take good care of me." Esther has arthritis, so the "meals come in very handy because they're already cooked." We are honored to be part of Esther's day and lucky to have her be part of the Meals on Wheels San Antonio family.

The second person we’re highlighting in our 45 for 45 series is Oscar Lucio, Production Manager for Meals on Wheels San Antonio. Oscar has been a Meals on Wheels team member for over 20 years and will be celebrating 21 years in September! 

Oscar's leadership in the kitchen is crucial to the operations of a kitchen that produces over 7,000 meals per day! Oscar starts his day off at 4 a.m. to oversee the preparation and production of thousands of meals for our clients. Even with this monumental task, our kitchen team has been on a roll with consecutive 100s on their City of San Antonio Metropolitan Health District inspections. 

With all that goes into food production, Oscar finds time to spend with his wife Sherrie and children Zachary and Alexis, who are both in college. He also brightens our staff celebrations with homemade treats for birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions! We're lucky to have Oscar as part of our staff. Thank you, Oscar, for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels and the community we serve. You can read more about Oscar in this Express-News article here: https://www.mowsatx.org/meals-wheels-food-manager-takes-challenges

The first person in our 45 for 45 series is Steven Dean, Board Chair of Meals on Wheels San Antonio. Steven was appointed to the Board in 2016 and is a member of our Time to Deliver Capital Campaign Committee. Steven is the Vice President of Water Resources at Pape-Dawson Engineers, a longtime community partner. 

For years, Pape-Dawson's employees have delivered more than a meal with Meals on Wheels and even helped to beautify our previous Grace Place Activity Center. Most recently, they've supported our future with a capital investment in our new headquarters in the form of the Pape-Dawson Engineers Charitable Foundation Truck Court.

Steven's leadership has been instrumental to our organization's operations and the construction of our new campus, from the groundbreaking to the ribbon cutting for the Meals on Wheels San Antonio Campus of Grace. Since joining the Board, Steven and his family have donated their time every Thanksgiving and at countless other volunteer events. Thank you to Steven for being so dedicated to Meals on Wheels and the community we serve.