Meals on Wheels Celebrates Its Anniversary with United Way
This March marks 10 years since Meals on Wheels became a program of United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) — one that provides a vital community service that supports seniors and people with disabilities across Jefferson County by delivering nutritious meals, social connection and peace of mind to those who are homebound.
Throughout the month, Meals on Wheels is highlighting some of the many clients, staff and volunteers who bring the program to life each day and have helped us reach one milestone after another.
Stepping in When It Mattered Most
In March of 2016, the organization that previously operated Meals on Wheels for Jefferson County was unable to fulfill its obligation of service. Hundreds of homebound seniors, however, depended on those daily meal deliveries.
At the County Commission’s request, United Way gladly stepped in and assumed operations, ensuring meals continued without interruption.
“We immediately understood the need for, and importance of, keeping the program operational,” said Karla Lawrence, Senior Vice President of Community Initiatives & Programs. “It was vital for us to make sure the services didn’t end for our senior population.”
Expanding Reach and Volunteer Power
In the years that followed, Meals on Wheels steadily expanded its reach – continuously delivering hundreds of thousands of meals annually to more than 1,000 seniors and individuals with disabilities. Along the way, hundreds of volunteers have come forward to support the mission.
For many clients, that brief visit at the door is the only in-person interaction they have all day. Volunteers deliver nutritious meals, but they also provide conversation, connection and reassurance on a consistent basis.
Meeting the Moment in 2020
When the pandemic disrupted daily life in 2020, demand for service nearly doubled due to restricted contact and many seniors’ vulnerability to infection. Many who might not ordinarily be considered homebound had little choice other than staying put. Many volunteers who were seniors themselves also had to take extra precautions. Obviously, all of this created exceptional challenges. But where there’s a will (and a need), there’s a way.
So, without interruption, operations quickly shifted from daily hot meal delivery to weekly distribution of shelf-stable and frozen meals, providing a full week of food at one time and thereby reducing contact. Volunteers also began calling clients regularly — checking on their condition and their need for food as well as offering connection and conversation during a time of heightened isolation.
Investing in Long-Term Sustainability
In 2021, incorporated into the design and build-out of United Way’s Alice Williams Building was a fully dedicated, commercial-grade Meals on Wheels kitchen. This major milestone created a centralized hub for efficient meal assembly, distribution and food storage plus long-term capacity for growth.
By January 2022, weekly hot meal deliveries had resumed, supported by a rebuilt and growing volunteer base. Continued investment in the years that followed further strengthened the program’s infrastructure, including, for example, the addition of two new delivery vans in 2025 to accommodate expanding routes throughout Jefferson County.
Serving Today — and Preparing for Tomorrow
Food insecurity does not end when a crisis fades from the headlines. For homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities, reliable access to nutritious meals is an everyday necessity.
In 2025 alone, Meals on Wheels delivered 249,961 meals to 1,368 clients thanks to 687 volunteers. Behind each delivery is thoughtful coordination, deep commitment and the strength of a community working together.
April McMaster, Program Director of Meals on Wheels, said the partnership has been transformative for both clients and the broader community.
Learn More & Get Involved“For many of the seniors we serve, this program is about much more than a meal,” McMaster said. “United Way’s commitment over the past 10 years has allowed us to continue delivering dignity, safety and independence to older adults across Jefferson County.”