Volunteers Turn Meals on Wheels into Lifelines

0:00It's March 25. You're listening to Birmingham News today, AI-powered local news. I'm Corey with the story. In Jefferson County, Alabama, 92-year-old Perley Fields has depended on the United Way of Central Alabama's Meals on Wheels program for nearly 15 years. It started as a way to get hot meals delivered to her door, but has grown into much more than just food. Her dedicated volunteer, Sonya Mitchell, has made the six-mile route for six years now. She'll begin as quick drop-offs turned into longer visits, filled with conversation and companionship. Fields' daughter says these interactions bring real comfort, giving her mom something to look forward to each day. That personal touch eases worries for family members watching over seniors at home. Over the past decade, the program has served more than two million meals across the county, helping countless folks stay nourished and connected. Stories like this show how volunteers turn routine deliveries into lifelines, blending care with community in ways that truly matter.