Why these volunteers love to serve at Meals on Wheels + why you will, too

Sponsored

The holidays can be a difficult time for some people, but luckily, Birmingham has a giving community. One of the truest examples of this is Meals on Wheels.

We spoke with two Meals on Wheels volunteers about their experience with this program’s special mission. Here’s what we learned.

Meals on Wheels serves thousands of individuals + families across Birmingham

For many homebound seniors across Jefferson County, getting regular, nutritious meals can be hard, if not impossible.

Enter Meals on Wheels.

Between this local initiative and others, United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) is paving the way toward eliminating hunger across the state.

As a program of UWCA, Meals on Wheels serves more than 5,000 meals per week to homebound seniors in Jefferson County.

It’s not without the dedicated service of 500+ volunteers, two of whom we got to speak with.

Let’s meet them!

Marco Talini keeps a service-above-self attitude

Hailing from Italy, Marco Talini lived in Birmingham during his summer internship with Coca-Cola Bottling Company UNITED.

This internship led Marco to serve with Meals on Wheels.

“The interns volunteered with Meals on Wheels as part of Coca-Cola UNITED’s commitment to community service. Inspired by this, I decided to continue doing something meaningful, even in a foreign country.

This experience immediately made me feel at home—the atmosphere and the people were so welcoming. From that moment on, I never stopped serving the Birmingham community with Meals on Wheels. It became a meaningful way to give back and stay connected to the city.”

Marco Talini

As a volunteer, Marco became a jack-of-all-trades.

Whether he was preparing bags with cold food, assembling the hot meal boxes or organizing donations in the food pantry, Marco’s commitment to service never wavered.

“My favorite part was the opportunity to connect with people. Delivering meals wasn’t just about food; it was about bringing a moment of kindness and knowing I was helping make a difference.

But that wasn’t all; the real motivation came from seeing how everyone approached their work with a big, genuine smile. It created a positive energy that made every moment memorable.”

Marco Talini

Connor McCaffrey has a heart for the elderly community

Connor McCaffrey, a Detroit, Michigan native, graduated from the University of Alabama in the spring of 2024. Now, he calls The Magic City home.

During his time in Tuscaloosa, Connor volunteered at the Hospice of West Alabama. Eager to continue supporting local senior citizens, he found Meals on Wheels in August 2024.

“I was looking to continue to help the elderly community in some way, so I decided to try Meals on Wheels.

My great-grandmother used to receive Meals on Wheels; she probably benefited from them for several years.”

Connor McCaffery

Once a week, Connor picks up meals from the Meals on Wheels kitchen and follows his given route list (anywhere from 5-15 stops).

“My favorite part about volunteering is knowing that I make a meaningful impact and difference in people’s lives.

It’s nice to be part of an organization that helps out the elderly and homebound individuals.”

Connor McCaffery

Why should I volunteer?

What does giving an hour or two of your time do for the lives of homebound seniors?

• It provides them with nutritious meals they might not otherwise have.
• It serves as a wellness check to make sure they’re safe and trouble-free.
• It provides human connection, especially important if they live alone.
• It supports their ability to live in their own home with dignity as they age.

Local organizations providing hunger relief

Through hunger-relief initiatives, 18,418,137 meals were distributed to individuals and families in need in 2023.

This is widely due to United Way’s impact and desire to build a better Birmingham. But, it’s not without the support of a variety of United Way partners.

Here are other organizations making efforts toward hunger relief:

• Blount County Aid to Homeless Children
• Bold Goals Child Hunger Collaborative
• Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center
• Christian Love Pantry
• Community Food Bank of Central Alabama
• Salvation Army
• Shelby Emergency Assistance
• St. Clair County Department of Human Resources
• United Way Area Agency on Aging ‘s Senior Nutrition Program

“I truly believe that if each of us dedicates something of ourselves to others, we can bring happiness to someone’s day. For me, seeing a genuine smile on someone’s face is one of the most beautiful things in the world—something unique and irreplaceable.”

Marco Talini

Donate or serve with Meals on Wheels + more local hunger-relief initiatives. Learn more through UWCA.

Sponsored by: