Rising costs, rising need: Why Meals on Wheels needs you this holiday season

Mary Gutierrez, 84, lights up when Meals on Wheels New Mexico volunteers arrive at her door with her daily meal delivery. A former school bus driver of 19 years, she especially relishes the days that children of volunteers tag along to visit her. During this time of year, Gutierrez often greets them wearing her Dallas Cowboys shirt and a warm smile.

"The people that volunteer are so good to me. I like to joke with them," Gutierrez said just hours after receiving some beef stroganoff she was looking forward to eating while watching Dallas take on the Arizona Cardinals. "It gives me a chance to talk to people because sometimes I'm by myself."

While many people think of Meals on Wheels as addressing hunger, especially for seniors, its primary impact is on social isolation.

"Our volunteers may be the only people our clients are seeing daily," said Marketing and Communications Manager Megan Ellett. She also emphasized that Meals on Wheels serves "anyone of any age for any reason — from a 2-year-old to a 98-year-old." Hunger has no single face in our community.”

For Gutierrez, who struggles with arthritis that makes preparing her famous tortillas nearly impossible, Meals on Wheels provides more than sustenance — it provides connection. She receives two hot, ready-to-eat meals daily, specially tailored to her medical needs.

"It helps; it truly, truly helps," she says, describing how she’s happily lost about 100 pounds since she’s been on the more healthful diet that a nutritionist oversees uniquely for her.

Gutierrez’s story reflects the mission of Meals on Wheels New Mexico, which serves over 1,000 meals daily across the state. However, as the organization heads into the holiday season, traditionally its busiest time, CEO Shauna Frost says the nonprofit urgently needs community support through donations and volunteers to continue its life-saving work.

When asked if there is a goal the organization has set, Frost bypassed mentioning a fundraising target and went straight to impact: "The goal is to keep people fed.”

The organization's monthly food costs alone run between $250,000 and $300,000, with 90 percent of clients receiving subsidized meals and 50 percent getting them free. The average subsidy needed per meal is $8, so a $168 donation provides 21 meals to neighbors in need.

Food costs have risen dramatically, Frost said, from $10.50 per meal last year to $11.50 currently. At the same time, demand has surged 50 percent to 60 percent over the past few years.

"When you have those food cost fluctuations that you see in grocery stores and restaurants, we're feeling those, too," Frost said.

To operate at full capacity, Meals on Wheels needs 30 to 40 new volunteers ASAP. Volunteering requires just one three-hour shift weekly after a short orientation.

"As a neighbor in this community, people have the ability and power to keep people safe and healthy in their home (by volunteering)," Frost said. “Every contribution and every knock on doors changes lives one meal at a time.”

Client satisfaction surveys show receiving Meals on Wheels has decreased falls by 16 percent, reduced depression by 40 percent, and cut emergency doctor visits by 19 percent.

To donate or learn more about volunteering, visit mow-nm.org, or mail contributions to PO Box 92551, Albuquerque, NM 87199.