Before she delivered her first meals for Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels, volunteer Diane Knibbs helped prepare thousands of lunches and dinners for seniors on the YMOW program.
“My whole career has been in food service,” said Diane, who worked in the Patient Food and Nutrition Services department of the University of Michigan’s Michigan Medicine. The department prepares food for hospital patients, as well as for the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels programs.
Diane said volunteering for YMOW was part of the plan even before retirement. That plan came to fruition about two years ago. Each Friday, she delivers food and smiles to the Heritage Park neighborhood of Ypsilanti.
“I look forward to seeing them every Friday,” Diane said of the senior on her route. She takes time to chat with each of them about sports, gardening, or whatever interests each senior.
“Diane brings great joy to everyone she interacts with,” said Elonah Dooley, volunteer coordinator at YMOW. “She deeply cares about all the clients on her route.”
Even after decades working behind the scenes to meet the needs of Ypsilanti’s seniors, Diane said seeing firsthand how much people rely on YMOW has been eye opening and she’s happy to continue doing her part to meet those needs, even in retirement.
