The name of the nonprofit Meals on Wheels says it all. The local chapter of the national organization delivers meals to those in need, mostly senior citizens, who reside in Sedona. “Some of these people have lived here their whole lives or close to their whole lives, and their kids are no longer in the area and just to give the families security, knowing that their parents are getting meals and being taken care of,” says Kristen Paduchowski, events and marketing manager at the Sedona Community Center. “It’s the senior population. They are always overlooked, I feel, in so many aspects. Just getting them that meal so that they don’t have to go to a nursing home, and they don’t have to go live with their family because maybe they can’t.” The Sedona chapter of Meals on Wheels is celebrating 40 years of serving others in 2024. To commemorate the occasion, Meals on Wheels will host the March for Meals fundraiser sometime in late March. The organization is also slated to hold an event in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce sometime in September.
The local branch was started by two local residents in 1984. It was adopted by the Sedona Community Center in 1986. As of press time, the organization estimates it delivered a total of 40,000 meals in 2023. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday. Kristen tells us that roughly 85 to 95 meals are sent out daily. El Rincon Restaurante Mexicano is the nonprofit’s partner that also occasionally provides food. A breakfast/weekend bag is also available. Lunch is served Monday through Friday at the Sedona Community Center. The price for lunch starts at a suggested donation of $7. There’s no waitlist for the local Meals and Wheels chapter. Meals on Wheels also provides social connections for seniors. Their birthdays are celebrated. She has seen seniors at Walmart who will let her know if they’ll have to miss the lunches during the week due to other appointments. Despite mostly serving seniors, Meals on Wheels is available anyone who needs help.
“It’s not just for the elderly or for the lower income,” says Kristen. “It’s for anybody that needs to help. That’s what we’re here for. That’s what our passion is. Our passion is to be there for our seniors. Our mission statement is to contribute to the health and well-being of the seniors in the greater Sedona area.” – Teresa K. Traverse
