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Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula is guided by the belief that a person's
health reflects the nurturing of the whole person—body, mind and spirit.
Our programs are dedicated to promoting the physical, social, and personal well-being
and independence of seniors, homebound frail elderly and disabled adults on the
Monterey Peninsula. Programs and services enable people to enjoy good
health and the highest quality of living as long as possible.
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Home
Delivered Meals Program
has been dedicated to serving those who cannot serve themselves, whose
independence would be jeopardized without
assistance. Meals on Wheels' provides tasty,
nutritious meals to the homebound who cannot shop, or cannot cook, for
themselves and have no adult caregiver in the
home. Volunteer drivers monitor their
well-being which in turn helps them maintain their independence,
safety, health and dignity.  A good diet is
very important. Making food appealing and
nutritious is the goal of both our dining programs. Research shows that
you can't skimp on essential nutrients. Thus
we follow the recommended guidelines established by the state of
California. Our Menus are reviewed by the
County's Area Agency on Aging dietitian.
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Group
Dining Program provides an equally vital service to individuals 60+ who are
able and mobile. Nutritious, healthful meals are provided to six locations throughout
the Monterey Peninsula in a "people environment." Meals, which supply 1/3 of the
USDA dietary requirement for older adults, are prepared daily in Meals on Wheels'
kitchen located in the Sally Griffin Center and are delivered to six satellite
locations. These locations also provide activities that are vital to healthy aging
and independence. A modest donation is requested to cover client share of cost.Important
as preparation, diet and presentation are, experts agree that the ultimate flavor
enhancer may just be a friendly atmosphere.
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Active
Living Program offers daily classes and activities that support, fulfill,
connect and affect the lives of adults in a positive, supportive and global way.
There is a network of relationships, energy and synergism that enriches and empowers
individuals' independence and spirit. These services are provided at the Sally
Griffin Center 700 Jewell Avenue, Pacific Grove. Come to the "gem" on Jewell!
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Private support is the financial life-blood of our
organization. Approximately eighty per cent (80%) of our budget is
privately funded. USDA and other governmental reimbursement for meals
we serve is about twenty percent (20%) of our budget. In addition,
thousands of hours of service are provided by our volunteers annually.
Our major sources of private funding are the following:
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Donations
generously made by individuals, companies, foundations and service organizations
to Meals on Wheels provide the vast majority of the financial resources necessary
to provide the meals and other services under our stated missions.
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Special
Events hosted by Meals on Wheels are major fund raisers in support of our
programs, as well as a means of introducing event participants to our agency.
From epicurean feasts to bocce ball tournaments, we offer many enjoyable ways
to support Meals on Wheels.
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Our volunteers
are the heart and soul of Meals on Wheels. Annually, over three-hundred
(300) local residents donate over twenty-four thousand eight-hundred
(24,800) hours, and drive over one-hundred fourteen thousand (114,000)
miles in support of Meals on Wheels. Numerous other volunteers lead
exercise classes, provide counseling, teach courses, prepare meals,
organize special events, staff the office and provide countless hours
of help to our agency. And it's fun to boot! We were voted the most fun
volunteer agency on the Peninsula. And it may be the most spiritually
rewarding as well! To learn how you can help Meals on Wheels please
click on "Volunteers" on the top navigation bar, or click on the
underlined heading at the beginning of this paragraph.
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In the early 1970's Sally Judd Griffin, founder of Meals
on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula (MOWMP), worked as a volunteer
helping frail, older people. Through her volunteer work, she saw
malnutrition as a hidden cause of failing health in older people who
lived in institutions and alone at home. She would accept a phone call
late in the day from someone needing food, and Sally would make a meal
and deliver it herself. That's how it began: one person's big heart and
ample energy inspired others who began to volunteer to assist her. Two
years later her passion and concerns led to the incorporation of Meals
on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula.
Since the early 1970's, Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula has
been providing nutritious, home-delivered meals to residents who are
unable to shop or unable to cook for themselves. The program has grown
in response to the increasing senior population in our community.
Today, it also includes service to non-seniors who are recuperating
from hospitalization or others who have a disability.
Originally, the home delivered meals were cooked each day from scratch
in the basement kitchen of a church and subsequently at Carpenter's
Hall in New Monterey. In the early 1980's the City of Pacific Grove
offered land for a new facility near Lovers Point. A Capital Campaign
began under the leadership of volunteer and board member, Michael
Albov. They started with a matching grant of $100,000 and eventually
raised over $1,000,000, along with donated help for architecture,
landscaping and in-kind equipment donations. The new facility was
completed in 1986 and was named the Sally Griffin Center in honor of
its dedicated founder.
Although the name 'Meals on Wheels' is used by similar agencies across
the United States; Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula is not
affiliated with any other agency, nor with any national or regional
governing body. It is a self-sustaining, independent organization that
raises and keeps all funds locally.
The Sally Griffin Center is located at 700 Jewell Ave., in Pacific Grove, California, near the beach at Lovers' Point.
The following maps show our location.
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President, Carol Church
President Elect, Bill Rand
Past President, Tony Bhutani
VP Development, Kathie Kandler
CFO/Treasurer, Lee Keely
VP Governance, John O'Brien
Secretary, Stephanie Lee
Nadine Annand
Ray Corpuz
Jackie Craghead
Fran Friscia
Renee Fuqua
Kyle Krasa
Stephanie Lee
Julie Ann Lozano
Richard Radowicz
Bill Rand
Jack Taylor
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Michael Albov
Morley Brown
Cyrus Fitton
Malcolm Jones
Viveca Lohr, Executive Director(email)
Andrea Fuerst, Active Living Center Director(email)
Leslie Kern, Home-Delivered Meals Coordinator(email)
Christine Capen-Frederick, Development Director(email)
Jesse Terrana, Bookkeeper(email)
Annie Ruzicka, Senior Center Assistant(email)
Barbara Rivers, Head Cook
Isreal Hernandez, Cook
Solomon Devilla, Procurement Coordinator
Aquino Hernandez, Pantry Cook
Josie Ortega, Dining Room Assistant
Jesus Dominguez, Dishwasher
Steve McClaran, Site Coordinator
Guadalupe Ortega, Custodian
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To learn more about our Home Delivered Meals Program,
Group Dining Program, Active Living Program, Special Events, Facility
Rental, or any other program; or if you have any questions regarding
our agency or our activities; or how we may serve you or someone you
love; please contact us at:
Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula
Sally Griffin Center
700 Jewell Avenue
Pacific Grove, CA 93950
Phone: 831-375-4454
Fax: 831-375-9887
e-mail us
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