Our August non-profit spotlight shines on the Neighborly Care Network and its Meals on Wheels program.
The Neighborly Care Network began in 1966, when a group of concerned citizens started discussing the needs of a growing senior population. The Neighborly Center, Inc. was chartered that year as a nonprofit agency, with a mission of studying and fulfilling the needs of seniors in Pinellas County.
In 1968 Neighborly started the first federally funded Meals on Wheels program in the United States. At that time, approximately 100 elderly in St. Petersburg received the meals daily. Today, approximately 1,200 frail, homebound seniors in Pinellas County receive these nutritious meals daily.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Meals on Wheels program. In 2014 they contributed nearly 37,000 hours delivering noontime meals – their efforts are valued at $829,569. While a nutritious meal is of great importance to each recipient, the most recurring comment is how much they look forward to seeing and conversing with the volunteer delivering it.
To learn more about how you can volunteer to deliver Meals on Wheels or contribute to the Meals on Wheels program call: 727-573-9444 or visit their website at: www.neighborly.org
I saw you a few weeks ago on 75 south of Chattanooga on my way home to visit family in KY. I am srittang grad school in Kennesaw this summer and will be making a 23.5 mile commute from my apartment in Atlanta. I have been trying to drive at around 60mph to maximize fuel economy in my 06 Toyota Matrix. It’s actually not difficult to do between Midtown ATL and the perimeter as the speed limit is 55. I’m curious to see how much it improves my gas mileage. I may drop my speed by about 5mph on the next tank to see if I can find a sweet spot.