Walking into Nourish Meals on Wheels (Nourish) is truly a sight to behold. It serves as a reminder that there is an abundance of good in this world. At Nourish, more than 600 volunteers make, pack and deliver fresh, hot meals to older (60+) and homebound adults across the Denver area. In 2024, more than 231,000 meals were delivered.

It all started in the kitchen of Virginia C. Baker in 1968. She recognized the need to help her struggling neighbors in Littleton and began preparing meals in her home kitchen and delivering them herself.

Since then, Nourish has evolved in name and location, growing to serve more individuals while maintaining Virginia’s core values. “We are blending tradition with technology,” shared Nancy Falk, executive director of Nourish. The nonprofit has been at its current location, the corner of Arapahoe Road and Broadway, since 2020. That same year, a big pivot in the kitchen came when former The Fort restaurant chef, Chef Geoff, began volunteering during the pandemic. He has been crafting delicious scratch-made dishes ever since.

Meals are delivered each weekday across 50+ routes. If requested by clients, breakfast on Wednesdays, weekend meals (made fresh and then frozen) on Fridays, and groceries on Saturdays can also be included.

The meals are just one piece of what makes Nourish so special. It is also the connections that are made, the conversations that are had, the checking-in that happens. This population can be greatly affected by loneliness and a simple smile and a warm hello each day is especially meaningful.

“The delivery could be the clients’ only meal of the day and sometimes the only contact they have with the outside world,” shared Hidden Pointe resident and editor for The Connection, Hollen Wheeler, who has been delivering for Nourish since 2018.

Hollen’s regular clients greet her with a smile and discuss everything from the weather, to the puzzle they are working on, to the Broncos. “It’s an ongoing conversation that I look forward to every Friday,” Hollen added.

Special cards and gifts are added to deliveries at least monthly, and for birthdays and holidays, adding an extra personal touch. With only eight employees, volunteers make it all possible.

In February 2024, Nourish expanded into Douglas County with 30,000 meals delivered during the first 12 months. The venture came thanks to a collaboration with Aging Resources of Douglas County who noticed a rise in transporting clients to food banks. With the nutrition need for seniors evident, Aging Resources made some of the initial deliveries to get things started in the county.

Funding is primarily community driven, with only a small fraction coming from the government. “We address food insecurity and social isolation with tailored meals, meaningful connections and hot, scratch-made food,” said Nancy. “That is the heart of what we do.”

Nourish needs you. Regular and substitute delivery drivers are especially needed, but meal prep, card making during monthly “crafternoons,” and donations to fill the grocery pantry are needed, too. Nourish is also eager to team with business partnerships in the community with whom the Nourish mission resonates and Nourish appreciates any and all donations.

Learn more about Nourish Meals on Wheels at nourishmealsonwheels.org. There you can request to receive meals for you or someone you love, sign-up to volunteer, donate or buy a ticket to their Theatre Night at Town Hall Arts Center in Littleton on June 18. Tickets go on sale May 1 for a fun night of theater and fundraising.

 

By Elean Gersack; courtesy photos