News Summary
The Williamsburg Area Meals on Wheels’ Summer Meals for Kids program is struggling with rising costs and declining donations, impacting children reliant on school meals during summer. With an aim to serve 300 kids, community partnerships and volunteer support are crucial. The organization reports a significant increase in meal requests, highlighting the ongoing need stemming from post-COVID challenges. Their new kitchen facility enhances meal preparation, while a new café aims to support their mission financially.
Williamsburg, VA – The Williamsburg Area Meals on Wheels’ Summer Meals for Kids program is encountering significant challenges due to rising costs and declining donations. This program, essential for local children who depend on school meals for nutrition during the summer break, is aiming to serve approximately 300 children living in motels and Section 8 housing starting June 19.
Executive Director and CEO Cathie Upton emphasized the necessity to focus on neighborhoods where children do not have access to free lunches. The program is especially important in the summer months when children have higher nutritional needs, which are not met when school is not in session.
The local Lion’s Club has stepped in to assist by delivering meals to children. They have also formed partnerships with the Williamsburg James City County Library and the William & Mary School of Education to provide books to the children during the summer. This initiative not only addresses food insecurity but also promotes literacy and education for the children involved.
While Meals on Wheels primarily serves the elderly, the demand for children’s meals has significantly increased post-COVID-19. The organization has reported a rise in daily meal counts, increasing from an average of 112 meals to 202 in recent times. Additionally, meals served to children have escalated from 50 meals a day before the pandemic to 200, with a waiting list of children wanting to receive meals.
Volunteers from the community are vital to the success of the program, as they contribute to meal preparation and delivery while also providing essential social interaction for clients who may be facing loneliness and isolation. The need for volunteers is even more pressing as the volume of meals served has surged.
In a bid to cope with the growing demand, Meals on Wheels recently inaugurated a new kitchen at the Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex. This new facility enables more efficient meal preparation and logistics, especially during adverse weather conditions, as the organization previously relied on multiple church kitchens.
Additionally, harsh winter weather has brought increased awareness to clients’ living conditions, leading to more referrals for individuals who might lack heat or electricity in their homes. This has further highlighted the organization’s commitment to address not only nutritional needs but also the overall wellbeing of vulnerable community members.
To support its nonprofit work, Meals on Wheels plans to open a café called Good Food Provisions, with all profits directed back into the organization’s mission of serving the community. As the agency navigates through these challenges, it remains focused on its goals to combat hunger and meet the needs exacerbated by the ongoing fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.
To sustain its mission, the organization continues to seek volunteers and financial support. Every contribution helps address the dual issues of hunger and community needs, allowing the Williamsburg Area Meals on Wheels to fulfill its essential role in supporting families and individuals in Williamsburg and its surrounding areas.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Food Trucks Serve Up Flavor in Virginia’s Historic Triangle
Additional Resources
- Williamsburg Families: Meals on Wheels Volunteers
- Wikipedia: Child Nutrition
- WY Daily: Summer Meals on Wheels for Kids
- Google Search: Food Insecurity
- Dignity Memorial: Joseph Berthiaume Obituary
- Google Scholar: Meals on Wheels
- ABC7: Food Truck Soup Kitchen in Brooklyn
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Meal
- WY Daily: Meals on Wheels Feeding Community
- Google News: Volunteers in Community
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
The WILLIAMSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREWilliamsburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Williamsburg, James City County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Williamsburg Farmers Market, Yorktown Market Days, and Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, plus leading businesses in education and hospitality that power the local economy such as College of William & Mary, The Williamsburg Winery, and Sodexo. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREVirginiaBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Virginia's dynamic landscape.
