Pictured from left, Chautauqua County Legislator Mark Odell; Barrie Yochim, executive director of Meals on Wheels; Tara Ellis, president and CEO of FeedMore WNY; Katrina Fuller; Chautauqua County Legislator Lisa Vanstrom and Assemblyman Andy Goodell. P-J photo by Carly Gould

“Our founders had the vision 50 years ago to help provide nutrition services in our community,” said Barrie Yochim, executive director of Meals on Wheels. “That vision helped set the plan that we now follow.”

Meals on Wheels delivers meals to people usually over 60 years old who can not feed themselves, whether they can’t afford groceries or can’t cook anymore. The organization partners with other organizations such as United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Chautauqua Adult Day Services and FeedMore Western New York. Ed Shults Sabaru Share the Love provides the organization with transportation to deliver the food, and meals are prepared each day by UPMC Chautauqua.

“We’ve delivered nearly 5 million meals in 50 years,” Yochim said. “That’s an astounding feat for our community.”

In the years since its inception, Meals on Wheels has grown to include areas outside of Jamestown. The Chautauqua County Office For the Aging has a contract with Meals on Wheels to deliver subsidized meals to people in the community who can’t pay for meals, or can only pay a small amount.

Present at the celebration were Katrina Fuller, who was representing U.S. Rep Tom Reed, R-Corning; State Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, R-Jamestown; Amy Rohler, executive director of United Way; Chautauqua County legislators Lisa Vanstrom and Mark Odell; representatives for the Chautauqua County Office For the Aging, Becky Blum, Cheryl Wahlstrom and Linda Spaulding; Tory Irgang, executive director of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and Frank Bercik, executive director of Chautauqua Adult Day Services.

“Good words are great, but it’s good deeds that result in change in people’s lives,” Goodell said. “For 50 years Meals on Wheels have been putting their words and their commitment into action, helping individuals and families.”

Goodell delivered a plaque to Meals on Wheels to “reflect what an impact the organization has had on families and individuals.” The representatives of The Chautauqua County Office For the Aging surprised Yochim with a plaque honoring him and Meals on Wheels as the “Employer of the Year” for the Senior Community Service Employment program.

“Through my career, Meals on Wheels have helped me as a constituent specialist,” Vanstrom said. “I have had some very hard cases where Meals on Wheels came and saved some wonderful people who were nearly starving to death.”

Special guest speaker, Tara Ellis, CEO and president of FeedMore Western New York, also thanked the Meals on Wheels and shared her own experiences with the organization.

“It is up to us to inspire those who come after us to continue our work,” she said. “Meals on Wheels saves lives and not just through serving meals, but with connecting to the people they serve.”