It’s a little after 9:00 a.m., and John Hermansen and I are nestled in a cozy booth at one of our favorite local spots, The Oasis Cafe. He has just ordered his usual, Mel’s Favorite – spinach, mushrooms and feta cheese scrambled with egg whites – and a cup of coffee. Our stomachs rumble in harmony as we wait for our breakfast, and a fitting natural transition into our conversation about his commitment to helping the many elderly and homebound people in our community transpires. John, a Meals on Wheels of Sarasota board member since 2021 (and my “person” since early 2022), has a deep connection to its mission and an endearing passion for both family and history. Without missing a beat, he starts us off at the root of his giving philosophy: “My grandfather always told me that everyone can help someone…”

 

I was looking for a local charity that not only made a real difference in our community but also allowed me to do more than just write a check. I wanted something tangible that I could share with my son, Erik – and now, with your daughters, Bryn and Camilla. I want them to be able to see the important work we are doing behind the scenes and the faces of the people we are helping when we personally deliver their freshly prepared daily meal. Meals on Wheels empowers its clients to live independently in their own homes, and this was a big selling point for me to get involved.

 

For humans to function and thrive, they need shelter, clothing and food. I was stunned to learn that there was such an acute problem of hunger in our affluent town, especially for homebound seniors, veterans and the disabled – and that this need was being addressed by a small organization funded by the charitable support of our local community. I was also moved by its promise to provide “More Than A Meal.” I love this motto; it’s simple and powerful. For many people, the volunteer who delivers the daily meal is the only person the recipient will see or speak with all day. This personal interaction is another critical human need, and it allows us to check in on our most vulnerable neighbors and give peace of mind to family members who do not live locally.  

I was raised in a family in which the notions of charity and philanthropy were central. My father’s personal philosophy, which still resonates with me years after his death, was to give people a hand up as opposed to a handout. He and my mother applied this theme in their giving to causes that helped families, children, education and the arts. As a father, myself, it is important for me to pass this ethos on to the next generation. I know that we both want our children to know that we put our heart, money and time toward causes that are important to us and people who are less fortunate than our families. Aside from Meals on Wheels, I have also volunteered for and financially supported the great local work of Forty Carrots Family Center, Girls, Inc., and the Payton Wright Foundation.

 

It’s an incredible team. We have a new executive director, Rhonda Leiberick, who came to us from Habitat for Humanity. She is dynamic and driven and is moving the organization forward in an exciting way. Her enthusiasm is infectious and when we first met, I was captivated by her positive energy and charisma. We have brought on new passionate and talented board members who deeply care about the mission of the organization. Our program staff manages hundreds of volunteer drivers, and our kitchen staff are critical spokes in the “wheel” that makeup Meals on Wheels. Ronald Reagan once said, “There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit,” and this adage rings true in our organization.

 

The first time I walked into our Meals on Wheels kitchen, I was amazed that in this small space, balanced, nutritious and seasonal meals for over 700 people were prepared every day. It’s hard enough to prepare a healthy meal for myself and my teenage son each night, and these dedicated cooks are making Salisbury steak, chicken, pork tenderloin, and so much more for our meal recipients. It was inspiring to see that the team (most of whom are unpaid volunteers) could do so much with so little, which made me realize that the potential of this organization is limitless. In spending time at the facility, I also learned that many of our clients with pets would sacrifice some of their own food to feed their animals, a problem that is addressed with our Pet Love Program. As a dog dad to Mr. Holmes, a feisty Norwich Terrier, I understand this unconditional love for our animals.

 

To be eligible to receive meals, prospective clients must live in our service area within Sarasota County – though we can connect people outside of our territory with other facilities. Our clients are homebound seniors or veterans, dealing with physical or mental challenges from chronic health issues or recuperating from an injury, illness or hospital stay. They are unable to shop for food or prepare meals for themselves, and many struggle financially to make ends meet. Income is not a qualifier, but 70% of our clients receive our services for free. Most of our seniors, who comprise a fast-growing segment of our population, live alone but want to continue to live independently with our help. If you have a friend or family member who could benefit from our program, visit our website for more information, www.mealsonwheelsofsarasota.org, or call our main office, 941-366-6693.  

 

Currently, I am the chair of the External Committee, which is includes fundraising outreach and marketing among other things. For me, creating an endowment would be an important next step for the organization, to provide long-term financial security and stability. Additionally, I look forward to helping raise awareness of the work we do in the community and educating donors about giving opportunities, including legacy gifts. Most people are familiar with Meals on Wheels but how do we distinguish ourselves in a vast and rapidly changing charitable landscape? How do we make sure that our most vulnerable neighbors, many of whom we drive by every day, are not forgotten? Looking toward the future, our board hopes to put the wheels in motion (pun intended) to locate a new facility in which we can expand our operations.

 

Volunteers enable us to keep our meal costs down, and there are many opportunities to help from meal preparation and packaging to delivery. We also welcome volunteers as committee members and coordinators of special events. Meal deliveries generally take place during morning hours, and a delivery route only takes an hour or two even though we cover a vast area of Sarasota County. I don’t get to do it often enough, but delivering meals is an incredibly rewarding experience. For us, parents of three teenagers about to get their own driver’s licenses, it’s also exciting to know that they will play an important role in this service, learning the value of giving back while also earning community service hours for school. There are volunteer opportunities for all ages.

 

March for Meals, our annual luncheon at the Sarasota Yacht Club, is on Friday, March 8. It is our one major fundraiser of the year and we are looking for support from the community. It is a great event, and the Westcoast Black Theater Troupe will return this year with another spirited performance. Buy a ticket or a table at our event or make a donation in honor of a loved one. Just $36 provides meals for a person for an entire week, so donations of any size are welcome from individuals and businesses. There are many ways to contribute outlined on our website. Also, I encourage anyone interested in learning more about the organization and its operations to reach out directly to Rhonda Leiberick. We are a community organization and she is available to the community – for a tour of the facility, for information about giving or volunteer opportunities, or for a deeper conversation about the important work we do at Meals on Wheels of Sarasota.

           

John and I finish our meal and pay our bill. He smiles across the table at me and quietly comments that the tip alone would pay for at least one daily meal for a homebound client of Meals on Wheels. He is always thinking about this charity that means so much to him. As I ride my bike home down Camino Real, it is hard not to think about the math in my head. Just six dollars can change the life of a person in our community. Small things really can make a big difference.

 

 

Contact Information:

Rhonda Leiberick

Executive Director

421 N. Lime Ave.
Sarasota, FL 34237

Phone: (941) 220-6036
Email: R.Leiberick@mowsrq.org

Website: www.mealsonwheelsofsarasota.org