SPAN/Meals on Wheels joined the Pilot Point Chamber of Commerce on Monday with a ribbon cutting and potluck lunch.
The Non-Profit of the Year, managed on site by Citizen of the Year Cindy Faris, has been serving seniors in the community for several years since starting back up in full force after COVID.
“We serve the community, especially those people that are lonely and have no one around,” Faris said. “When I go to their homes, I love doing the assessments most of all, because I get to know these people intimately, asking them very personal questions, and it’s life changing.”
The organization invited Chamber and community members to join its volunteers, staff and board members in the celebration.
“We ask people to be a part of our community, so it’s important for us to be a part of the communities we serve,” Vice Chair of SPAN/ Meals on Wheels of Denton County Hector Flores said. “We’re encouraging all of our congregate sites to become members of the chamber of commerce, which brings a little more awareness.”
They also invited the community to their annual fundraising gala, which will be on May 17 at the Courtyard Marriott in Flower Mound. For $125, the community can support the nonprofit while getting a chance to win raffl es from a $40,000 collection of baskets and receive dinner and ‘80s themed entertainment.
As the volunteers and guests mingled, drivers George and Elsie Ridgley spoke about the impact they see on the people they serve.
“There is a need, and we want to make a connection with those who cannot get up and prepare their meals when living by themselves,” Elsie said. “We sometimes collect donations from them. We received one this morning, and they’re most appreciative. We always get a thank you.”
Flores expanded on the point.
“It’s not just about nutrition, it’s about humanity,” Flores said. “Some of the folks that receive our meals, we’re the only point of human contact they’ll have that day or maybe that entire week, so our impact here in the community is important and happens in most of the counties in the state of Texas and throughout the United States.”
Chamber President Jimerson Adkins addressed the crowd as Faris prepared to snip the ribbon.
“We’re definitely proud of SPAN/ Meals on Wheels,” Adkins said. “They provide a very valuable service to our community and communities across our nation.”
