Shirley Shumberger

“It was just one way I could show that I cared for others. I wanted to make sure that everyone felt looked after and supported.”

Shirley’s journey into volunteer work began with a simple desire to show care and support for others. She believed that everyone deserved to feel looked after, especially those who were isolated or unable to care for themselves. This drove her to seek out opportunities to connect with her community, eventually leading her to the Meals on Wheels program.

Meals on Wheels is an initiative that delivers nutritious meals to individuals who are unable to prepare food for themselves due to age, illness or disability. It’s a program that not only provides essential nutrition but also brings companionship to those who may otherwise spend much of their time alone.

For Shirley, the act of delivering meals wasn’t just about providing sustenance – it was about offering emotional support and a sense of connection. “I think we made a difference taking the meals to them. A lot of times we were the only people they would see in a day. So, we would sit and talk with them,” Shirley recalls.

The impact of this small act of kindness resonated deeply with Shirley. She understood the importance of human interaction, especially for those who had few visitors. “I feel like it would be really hard on me if I was in a position where no one came to see me,” she shares. She was also aware of how essential the meals were for the health and well-being of those she served. “Plus, a lot of the people simply wouldn’t eat if the meals weren’t given to them.”

Shirley volunteered for more than five years, building lasting relationships with the people she helped. Her work provided her with more than just a way to help—it gave her a sense of purpose and a deeper connection to the people around her, enriching her life in ways she hadn’t imagined. “It was just one way I could show that I cared for others. I wanted to make sure that everyone felt looked after and supported.”