We often hear firsthand about the ways that volunteering changes someone’s life. At first glance, our volunteer program revolves around giving community-minded individuals the opportunity to support others.
Each volunteer has their own story and their own reasons for continuing to support our organization. For Maryanne, she managed to find more than a chance to give back. She found an opportunity to fill her free time and develop her kitchen skills… and best of all, she found a friend.
Maryanne initially joined Edmonton Meals on Wheels in March 2023. At first, she was looking for a way to fill her free time. “I needed something to keep me busy […] and it seemed like a really nice thing to do,” she shares.
During her volunteer shifts, she spotted Pam — a fellow kitchen volunteer who would soon become one of her closest friends. As they worked alongside each other, they developed a strong bond over their shared interests and passion for supporting their community. “I saw her from across the room a few times… but the first time we worked side-by-side, we knew.”
The two have become inseparable and have committed their Thursday mornings to preparing hundreds of sandwiches for our fresh daily meal program. “They call us the ‘sandwich ladies’ because we always do sandwiches,” she admits. The pair have even decided to plan a trip to Portugal where they intend to walk the Camino.
In addition to meeting Pam, Maryanne has also become more confident in her culinary skills. “I was always good with a knife,” she shares, “but now, I’m really good now.” She’s even shared her newfound skills with her friends and family.
For her, volunteering is one of the highlights of her week. She finds comfort in coming in and doing what she does best. But, in her opinion, she is one of the hundreds of volunteers who support our services. “I don’t think Meals on Wheels could do what it does without its volunteers,” she says. “I am one of many, and I’m here to make sure others get fed.”
Each day, our volunteers are contributing to a greater mission by helping us provide an essential service to vulnerable Edmontonians. In exchange, our program gives volunteers the opportunity to build valuable skills, learn a second language, discover passions, support their community, and form lasting memories and friendships.
