Melinda and Meals on Wheels

Melinda Killenberg, a 40+ year Pilgrim member, helped get the Meals on Wheels program going in Durham many years ago. Meals on Wheels helps people in need of daily food to get what they need, with a particular focus on seniors. By now they deliver meals to people all over the country, but beyond meals often help reduce feelings of isolation that may folks with reduced mobility experience.

In 1969 Durham Congregations in Action (then known as the Center City Church Council) was trying to figure out the ways to meet the needs of the local community. They found a need for meals for those having trouble shopping and cooking on their own. In 1975 Meals on Wheels Durham was founded to try to help. The first 8 volunteers were women from different congregations, including Melinda from Pilgrim. They served about a dozen elderly, disabled, blind, convalescing, or undernourished clients who were mostly homebound and living alone. They made calls, found addresses, figured out routes and schedules, then cooked the meals, and delivered them---with no help from cell phones thank you very much. Over the years many of these women became friends, and many of them continue to be friends to this day. Since then Meals on Wheels has grown and now serves more than 500 Durham County residents every day!

So as we approach International Women’s day let’s take a moment to appreciate Melinda and the other Pilgrim volunteers (of all genders) who have tried to care for others as Jesus asked through their service for Meals on Wheels through the years. And let’s learn from them that in caring for each other, we often receive the friendship and care we ourselves need.