Making a Difference: Volunteering with the Home-Delivered Meals Ministry
Posted on Apr 08, 2025 by Shari Van Baale
I have been volunteering with the Home-Delivered Meals ministry, formerly known as Meals on Wheels, through Salem for several months now. Honestly, at first I was hesitant because I wasn’t familiar with how it worked and worried about the time commitment. But serving others and making a positive impact on our community is something that matters deeply to me, so I reached out, asked about the ministry and volunteered — and I’m so glad I did!
Joyce Benedict, a dedicated and helpful member of our team, was instrumental in getting me set up and providing the necessary training through Johnson County Aging and Human Services. Salem is dedicated to completing delivery routes Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and I’m fortunate to take on the first Wednesday of each month. Johnson County Aging and Human Services often reaches out to see if anyone can take on additional routes as well.
My 3-year-old son, Bo, often joins me on these routes. I’ve also brought along my older children, Charlotte and Julius, when they’ve been out of school. I’m proud to say that this opportunity has allowed my kids to experience firsthand what it means to be the church in the world. It’s about helping to feed the hungry and contributing to a stronger, more connected community.
The whole route typically takes me around 2 to 2.5 hours, and the best part is
the gratitude from the people we serve. The joy in their faces when we arrive
with a meal is so rewarding to see. Volunteering with this ministry is a simple yet powerful way to make a tangible difference. If you’re interested in joining me and others in this mission to serve our community, please reach out to Joyce or me. Together, we can be the church in the world, help feed the hungry, and make our community a better place.
I hope to see you out there!
Sirena M. Shaneyfelt