Highlighting the continued commitment to community service and civic engagement at Castleton, 2017 marks the University’s 25th anniversary of service working alongside Meals on Wheels of Vermont, delivering meals and smiles to local community members. The food delivery service, run by the South West Council on Aging in Rutland, works to distribute nutritious, well-balanced meals to older adults and individuals under the age of 60 with chronic conditions and disabilities.
“It’s a really nice community support system,” said Jane Foley, Director of Creative Services at Castleton, who has been volunteering with Meals on Wheels since the program’s inception at Castleton in 1992. “They really need these meals and look forward to them, some are even waiting at the door. It means a lot to them to have a hot, balanced meal that they can count on.
Through the program, meals are delivered three days a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays to eager residents. Castleton volunteers, which include faculty members, staff, and students, have helped to deliver on average 52 weeks’ worth of meals each year.
“Once or twice a month I deliver anywhere from 20 to 60 meals to people, frozen or hot depending on the day,” explained Foley. “It does a lot for the community. It’s a really great way to build friendships and get to know people from other parts of campus and the community.”