Care That Counts In 2018, 1,200 MACOA volunteers worked 172,00 hours (a value of $3 million). They prepared meals for 1,084 people and drove more than 51,000 miles to deliver those meals. Walmart and MPD volunteers work together to prepare meals for MACOA meal deliveries. IMAGE COURTESY OF MACOA.
local providers but found them to be too
the Corporate Route Partners, allows all
inconsistent for their needs.
employees to deliver meals. Bank leaders say it lets them serve in the city in which
“Now, we can provide each person with the
they live and work and remind them what
same quality meal. It has been a big help,
it means to be a part of a community. “Our
but to do that, we needed more volunteers,”
employees constantly share the same
said Marietta.
feelings I experience when delivering meals and helping our seniors—they are so
In response, MACOA launched Meal Makers
appreciative,” said Pete Knight, Renasant
with help from the Montgomery Lion’s Club.
Bank City President. “The old saying,
Each morning, Monday through Friday,
‘It is better to give than receive,’ is so
volunteers come in from 7:30 to 9:30 to
true. Employees volunteering to run meal
plate, seal and prepare the food for delivery.
routes help us to promote teamwork, trust,
Route drivers typically arrive around 10:30 to
generosity, happiness, and it is a constant
collect their meals.
reminder of how blessed we are!”
“Meal Makers has been a huge success.
The Chamber, Montgomery Police
In one year, more than 100 groups and
Department, Montgomery County District
some individuals have volunteered with
Attorney’s Office, Beasley Allen Law Firm
us,” said Marietta. “We have found that it is
and MAX are among the organizations and
a great way to develop teamwork among
businesses also committed to delivering
businesses. It is a very tangible way for them
meals, in addition to supporting MACOA’s
to make a difference in just a few hours.”
various fundraisers like the annual Culinary
Creating Better Communities
Caper and Swinging Fore Seniors Golf Classic. “It’s important for MAX to give
Another way a business can get involved
back to the mission of MACOA as they are
is by serving as a Corporate Route Partner.
meeting a significant need in our community,
Currently, there are 49 groups that deliver
fighting senior hunger,” said Brooke Foster,
meals once a week or every other week,
MAX Communications Specialist.
and many more who deliver less regularly. Montgomery’s Renasant Bank, one of 43 MONTGOMERYCHAMBER.COM
More Than Meals While MACOA is best known for Meals On Wheels, it’s only one of many programs. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) matches seniors with volunteer opportunities based on their experience and talents. MACOA also hosts daily activities, like quilting, exercise sessions and educational luncheons in the attached Archibald Senior Center, which is available to rent as an event venue. While MACOA continues to expand its reach, the demand is growing even faster. “Seniors have a great deal of needs, depending on their personal situation, and they’re only going to grow as our population ages,” said Marietta. The challenges ahead inspire the work of MACOA’s staff and volunteers, and they’re already planning for future growth with the purchase of a lot adjacent to their downtown Montgomery office. “Working for MACOA has been a marvelous experience,” said Marietta. “There is more work to be done, but what we have done in the 47 years it’s been in Montgomery, it’s invaluable.”