She pulls the food out of the bags and double checks that the delivery is right. She walks up to the house to complete the delivery and thinks about how Meals on Wheels is more than just providing meals.
Linda Austin has always wanted to help people in need, and one way she has put her passion into play is to volunteer for the nonprofit Meals on Wheels.
Before Austin started volunteering for Meals on Wheels, she helped children in various ways. She would feed, clothe, or even just watch out for them, she said.
The more she helped kids the more heartbroken she became. Austin explained she needed to step away and help in a different way. So, she turned to helping senior citizens.
Austin saw how the people who came before her also needed help. She started running a nursing home and went from there.
Austin and other employees wanted to help outside the nursing home, so they decided to volunteer for Meals on Wheels. Austin believed the nonprofit would be a great match for her because its focus was about helping those in need.
Austin and her co-workers would volunteer twice a week by delivering food to people’s home.
Even though Austin started her volunteer work in 1998 with the nursing home and has retired, she still helps with the nonprofit.
“Since I am retired, volunteering for Meals on Wheels gives me something to do that’s worthwhile,” Austin said.
She said she cannot just sit at home – it’s not her style. She needs to be busy and be around people.
Volunteering for the organization isn’t just delivering meals to people – there are other ways to get involved. For example, Austin helps to train the new volunteers.
She shows the trainees how to pick up food and to double check that it follows the person’s diet guidelines.
She makes sure they know their route for the day, and that they deliver all the right food to people.
Lastly, she explains to new volunteers that Meals on Wheels serves more than senior citizens; they serve others who need the help no matter their conditions or circumstances.
“You can’t cherry pick who you are going to help. You have to be willing to help everyone and not just grandma and grandpa,” Austin said.
Over the years, she has met many people and made many memories.
“I think people look forward to seeing me, and I look forward to being able to help them in any way I can,” Austin said.
Austin recalls when she went to a lady’s house to drop off food and heard the women hollering because she had fallen and no one was around to help her.
Austin talked about how it was just luck that she was at the right place at the right time. After that instance Austin continued to check on that woman because she didn’t have anyone else.
The woman has moved to a nursing home hours away, but Austin said she thinks about her every day.
Austin said she plans to volunteer for Meals on Wheels for as long as she is able. She said she is dedicated to helping those who can’t do things for themselves or don’t have anyone else to rely on.
“We are kind of the watch dogs along with providing the service, too,” she said.
