It’s a tough balancing act to perform when financial challenges overtake the monthly budget. For the elderly and disabled, it often means pinching pennies and choosing between groceries and medication in order to afford drug costs and other essentials. 

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for March and April of 2012. These meals are subject to change.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for March and April of 2012. These meals are subject to change.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for January and February of 2012. These meals are subject to change.

Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties will host a free symposium for caregivers and older adults on Friday, November 11, 2011 from 8:30 – 1:30 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, Waxahachie, located at 505 W. Marvin Avenue.

With fall temperatures finally here, Meals-on-Wheels is ready for its 24th Annual Golf Benefit set for September 15 at Hidden Creek Golf Course in Burleson. This event is one of the largest in the area with over 200 golfers and many volunteers participating. Bringing in over $75,000, the Golf Benefit proceeds directly support Meals-on-Wheels services.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for September 2011. These meals are subject to change.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for August 2011. These meals are subject to change.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for July 2011. These meals are subject to change.

The Ash Grove Cement Company recently donated $10,000 to Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties for the “Kitchen Campaign,” underway to build a regional kitchen facility. It is expected that Meals-on-Wheels will initially provide 1,200 meals at the opening of the 25,000 square foot facility, projected for the fall of 2012.

Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties recently received financial support through a grant from the Banfield Charitable Trust to help feed pets of homebound seniors who receive meals from Meals-on-Wheels.  “Ani-Meals,” which began in 2009, aims to help the needy homebound take care of their companion animals—primarily dogs and cats.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for June 2011. These meals are subject to change.

Summertime is a critical time of the year for Meals-on-Wheels. With the summer heat, there is an even greater need to check on the home-bound disabled and elderly persons in the community. Since summer tends to be a busy time of the year for many with school being out and people being gone on vacation, Meals-on-Wheels needs caring volunteers to help deliver meals during the summer throughout the county.

During this year’s National Volunteer Week, April 10-16, Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties honored the organization’s dedicated community of volunteers who tackle the task of delivering meals to 725 clients each day, five days a week.

Lisa Gordon is one of the newest members of Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties, serving as the Ellis County Volunteer Coordinator, serving all communities county-wide. Ms. Gordon joined the Meals-on-Wheels team last August. Her past professional experience includes providing case management to families and children at Texas Baptist Home and Catholic Charities of Fort Worth.

Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties accepted a new meal delivery van from the Caesar’s Foundation on Thursday, April 14. This new van is to aid in the Senior Nutrition Program, delivering meals to seniors in need. A brief presentation with local elected officials, current and former Meals-on-Wheels Board members, and volunteers were present.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for March 2011. These meals are subject to change.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for April 2011. These meals are subject to change.

Clients enjoy a greater quality of life thanks to dedicated volunteers

Meals-on-Wheels client Edward Dawson is proud of his rustic roots. A Navy veteran of World War II, Dawson, 85, has called Maypearl home all his life. His ranch was founded in 1896 – a fact that is part of his dining room décor – in wrought iron numbers on the wall. “It cost a dollar and fifty cents an acre back then,” Dawson said. “That’s on the deed.”

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Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties is a proud participant of the national 2011 “March For Meals” campaign.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for March 2011. These meals are subject to change.

Join us in celebrating the ‘Greatest Generation,’ and capture a glimpse from the past through those we serve during the upcoming “Fabulous Forties Fling,” taking place Saturday, March 26, at the Texas Motorplex.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for February 2011. These meals are subject to change.

Meals-on-Wheels is part of the reason why our more than 750 clients can continue to enjoy living independently. Some of their unique perspectives – their outlooks of the world and insightful experiences from the past – will be highlighted during the upcoming “Fabulous Forties Fling,” taking place Saturday, March 26, at the Texas Motorplex, located between Waxahachie and Ennis.

Chicken Express restaurants throughout Johnson and Ellis counties are helping the homebound by partnering with Meals-on-Wheels for a second year in a row to put a hot meal in the hands of every needy person in the two-county area. The participating locations include Alvarado, Burleson, Cleburne, Joshua, Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ennis, and Red Oak.

The holidays are here, and for Meals-on-Wheels, like everyone else, it is a busy and critical time of the year. With school being out and people going on vacation, Meals-on-Wheels needs caring volunteers and supporters to share holiday cheer. You may be involved by helping to deliver meals during the holidays, or give back a little something to a homebound person. Meals-on-Wheels will be serving on Christmas and New Year’s Eve this year.

Meals-on-Wheels celebrated the 30th Annual National Philanthropy Day on November 18th by honoring the Jack Burton Family at a luncheon held at the Omni Hotel in Fort Worth. The annual event was sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Vinsen Faris, former President of the Meals on Wheels Association of Texas and Executive Director of Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties, Texas, has been elected to the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) Board of Directors. Faris’ leadership role comes at a critical time.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for September 2010. These meals are subject to change.

The 23rd Annual Meals-on-Wheels Golf Benefit, set for September 16, at Cleburne Golf Links, is ready for the big day! “Our field is now full!” said Ike Vera, Golf Benefit Chairperson. The Benefit was limited to the first 66 teams to register, and registrations were accepted until the field was full, on a first come first served basis.

Meals-on-Wheels still has morning and afternoon tee times available for the 23rd Annual Golf Benefit. The event will be held on Thursday, September 16 at Cleburne Golf Links. “Early bird” registration at $125 per golfer will be available until Friday, August 27. After Friday, the price will increase by $25.

Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson & Ellis Counties needs additional volunteers to help get noontime meals delivered to the homebound elderly and disabled residents throughout Ellis County. “With the growing needs in our communities, we are in need of new volunteers,” said Whitney Patterson, volunteer coordinator.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for August 2010. These meals are subject to change.

Meals-on-Wheels and its Title Sponsor, Community Bank, is set for the 23rd Annual Golf Benefit. The event will be held on Thursday, September 16 at Cleburne Golf Links. Registration for the benefit is open and morning and afternoon tee times are still available. Early bird registration is until August 27. Like years passed, golfers are promptly signing up for the morning and afternoon flights.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for July 2010. These meals are subject to change.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for June 2010. These meals are subject to change.

Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson & Ellis Counties needs additional volunteers to help get noontime meals delivered to the homebound elderly and disabled residents throughout its service area. “With the growing needs in our communities, we are in need of new volunteers,” said Amy Jackson, director of development.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for May 2010. These meals are subject to change.

During National Volunteer Week, April 18-24, Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties is proud to honor the organization’s dedicated community of volunteers who tackle the task of delivering meals to 700 clients each day, five days a week.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for April 2010. These meals are subject to change.

Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson & Ellis Counties has events planned for its annual “March for Meals” campaign. Today, they hosted area mayors and elected officials for “Mayors For Meals,” as a part of the Campaign. The event included 39 local mayors and elected officials delivering meals in their communities.

To end the month-long “March for Meals” celebration, Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties is hosting its annual benefit, “Remember When…A Fabulous 40’s Fling,” on Saturday, March 27. It will be held at the National Guard Armory located at 618 N. Grand in Waxahachie.

James McAfee of Ennis never wants to see another can of fruit cocktail again. The Meals-on-Wheels client recalled an incident during World War II when he was hunkered down in a fox hole and decided to crawl into the officer’s mess hall and check out what the other half was eating.

Brenda Trojacek of Palmer is an adamant believer in giving back to the community. She’s been a volunteer for Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties for several years and admits she cherishes the opportunity to not only make connections with the clients she’s come to love, but her father, Thomas Tollis serves as her “wing man” once a week.

All month long, in celebration of “March for Meals,” Meals-on-Wheels is honoring the clients they serve, many who are part of the “greatest generation.” Martha Eves of Forreston is just one of many clients Meals-on-Wheels serves who is part of this group that sacrificed so much.

Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties announced today that it will be participating in the national 2010 “March For Meals” campaign beginning March 1. Meals-on-Wheels is holding several events during the month to celebrate “March For Meals.”

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for March 2010. These meals are subject to change.