Friday, April 4, 2014

33 Years of Service to Irvine's Seniors

On March 19, 1981, Irvine Mobile Meals was launched as a way to serve nutritional meals directly to the doorsteps of local seniors in need. 

The local service organization, an outreach of the Newport-Mesa Irvine Interfaith Council (also called FISH) began after extensive planning from Irvine church groups. It was based at one of Irvine's first churches, University United Methodist Church. 

The initial program was staffed by a group of 40 volunteers, most residents of the Irvine community that they serve. 

After the first few years, the program outgrew the small office space at the Methodist church and moved to the Rancho Senior Center in the Irvine village of Rancho San Joaquin.  Eventually, the grass-roots group of concerned volunteers incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization. 

33 years later, Meals on Wheels still serves the senior community of Irvine. The core of the program is still the community volunteers who make personal weekday deliveries. 




National Charity League: Partners From the Beginning

Meals on Wheels is my favorite NCL philanthropy...we get a chance to really make a difference to the seniors..there's nothing quite like it." 
-Katie Bell Class of 2013
For more than 30 years, The National Charity League of Irvine has delivered meals to local seniors.

National Charity League is a philanthropic organization that pairs mothers and their daughters for the purpose of community service.

Every girl is required to deliver meals at lease twice a year with their mothers, who are required to deliver at least seven times annually as part of their membership.
Although NCL members volunteer for many different charities, Irvine Meals on Wheels is the primary focus for the organization.

Today, more than 100 mother-daughter pairs are proud to serve the seniors of Irvine along with a dedicated team of community drivers.