YMOW volunteers Kathy and Ken lived in many places throughout their life together, but one thing always remained the same. Wherever they lived, serving their community was a priority.
In New Jersey, Kathy delivered meals for the local Meals on Wheels program. In the Chicago area, she would collect her father from his assisted living residence and take him along on her Meals on Wheels deliveries. After retiring recently and having more time for community service endeavors, the couple set out to find a program where they could work together with Meals on Wheels.
Kathy said she knew after her first call to Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels that she had found the best place to volunteer, and YMOW had found two dedicated people to help drive its mission.
“They’re both so kind and really care about our clients, and our clients clearly care about them, too,” said YMOW Volunteer Coordinator Elonah, who chose Kathy and Ken as YMOW’s newest Volunteers of the Quarter.
Each Tuesday morning, Ken and Kathy make their way to Ypsilanti from their home in Plymouth Township to load up their car with meals for homebound neighbors in the West Willow and Heritage Park neighborhoods. Ken does the driving, using his natural sense of direction to take the couple from house to house.
“He doesn’t even need the route sheet anymore,” Kathy said.
Ken and Kathy often are accompanied by their dog, Willow. Kathy said Willow loves to ride in the car and offers a comforting presence for some of the seniors they visit.
“She’s becoming an integral part of our Meals on Wheels experience,” Kathy said.
Kathy and Ken believe the connections they have made with people on the route are the very best thing about volunteering with Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels. One woman looks forward to showing Kathy what’s growing in her garden, while another has a joke at the ready. One client, Kathy said, always asks for a hug, and she is happy to oblige.
With just a few hours a week, Kathy and Ken keep people nourished in more ways than one.
“It’s so easy to do,” Kathy said. “It provides an incredibly valuable service.”