April 17 – 23 is National Volunteer Week, and Meals on Wheels San Diego County is highlighting some of its exceptional volunteers who are integral to the nonprofits mission. Since its early beginnings, Meals on Wheels has delivered nearly 21 million meals to more than 4,000 seniors and 552 animals, with 3.402 volunteers who have collectively traveled nearly 650,000 miles.
Each year, MOWSDC delivers more than 650,000 nutritious meals with friendly visits by their volunteers, helping seniors remain at home, and advocating for issues that impact the health, wellness, and independence of San Diegans 60 years and older, their pets, veterans of any age with disabilities, and their care givers.
Chula Vista couple Vidal and Soladad Angeles have been delivering meals to those in need in Chula Vista for 22 years out of the South County Service Center. They began their journey with Meals on Wheels when their daughter Eva was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels while in high school.
Soladad Angeles said together they deliver meals every third Saturday of the month.
“It makes us happy because we are helping the community,” she said. “We are helping the seniors who are unable to go out and eat. They are all very appreciative of what we are doing, and for us, that is enough. It depends on how many meals we deliver on a Saturday, but usually 10 to 12 houses at the most.”
She said for her, volunteering is “very rewarding.”
“You get that happy feeling that you are helping someone,” she said. “It is like giving back to the community that gives you a lot.”
Vidal Angeles said that as much as they love volunteering, the organization needs younger people to get involved.
Soladad Angeles said volunteering is a commitment, but depending on your schedule, you can schedule your volunteer time around your own schedule.
