Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
We found one of the best ways to volunteer in Birmingham + you can do it on your lunch break!
Reading time: 3 minutes
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For many homebound seniors across Jefferson County, getting regular, nutritious meals can be hard, if not impossible.
Enter Meals on Wheels. This program serves more than 5,000 meals per week to local senior adults—but not without the help of dedicated volunteers like Barry Smith.
We followed Barry on her route one day as she made her regular stops, delivered food and chatted with clients who turned into friends. Here’s what we learned about why she loves Meals on Wheels and why you will, too.
Meals on Wheels serves thousands of individuals + families
Between Meals on Wheels and other initiatives, United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA) is paving the way toward eliminating hunger across the state.
Part of Meals on Wheels’ impact is thanks to the service of 500+ volunteers, one of whom we got to see in action.
Barry Smith has been volunteering with Meals on Wheels for over 20 years, and she still claims it as her “favorite job.”
“My grandfather was a longtime Meals on Wheels volunteer, and I saw the impact it had on him, so when I moved to Birmingham, I knew I wanted to do it.”
Barry Smith, Meals on Wheels volunteer
Barry’s volunteer shift starts at the Homewood Senior Center, where she picks up the meals. From there, she hits the road on her regular route.
She drops off food to each house on her route, and takes a few minutes to chat with the residents and check in on how they’re doing.
Depending on how much chatting she does, Barry is done with her route in an hour.
Volunteer with Meals on Wheels—you can do it on your lunch break!
Why should I volunteer in Birmingham?
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.
“It’s so fulfilling to see the immediate impact of what you’re doing. In some volunteer work, you don’t see the people you’re helping, so it doesn’t feel as personal.
You see these people often, go into their homes, get to know them and see how this service helps them.
Barry Smith, Meals on Wheels volunteer
With many of my clients, I may be the only person they see during a day, so if something is off or they’re not feeling well, I can help with that.”
Barry has been a dedicated volunteer in Birmingham for half her life, and there’s a reason she’s stuck with Meals on Wheels for all this time.
“This means everything to me, and that’s not an exaggeration. I sometimes feel like I get more out of this than the clients. They bring such joy to my life, and it’s such a blessing to have that one-on-one interaction. It starts to feel like real friendships with people when you’ve been delivering for as long as I have.”
Barry Smith, Meals on Wheels volunteer
Donate or serve with Meals on Wheels + more local hunger-relief initiatives. Learn more through UWCA.
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