A new delivery vehicle is now making its way across Union County, and it is on a mission: getting hot meals to seniors who need them. Union County's Senior Nutrition Program has added the vehicle through a partnership with Food Lion Feeds. The new vehicle is dedicated to providing home visits, which is required to start seniors in the program and to continue those checks. It can assist in delivering hot meals to older adults who are unable to leave their homes easily. The new vehicle expands the program's ability to conduct the home visits required to enroll new seniors and complete regular wellness checks as part of the Senior Nutrition program. 

The partnership helps in a few key ways. It cuts down on wait times for meals. It keeps deliveries running smoothly on days when there are not enough volunteers. And most importantly, it means more seniors get the food and support they need.

"We're grateful to Food Lion Feeds for helping us close the gap," said Emily Colson, Human Services Program Manager. "On the days when we're short on volunteers, this vehicle keeps meals moving so no senior gets left waiting."

Every weekday, volunteers deliver hot meals to homebound seniors across Union County. But these visits offer more than food. Each stop also serves as a wellness check. Volunteers make sure the senior they are visiting is doing well. For some seniors, that short visit may be the only time they see another person all day.

The Senior Nutrition depends on volunteers to keep meals moving across Union County. Delivery is the backbone of the Senior Nutrition program, and it is also where the need is greatest. The program runs four meal sites throughout the County, so there is likely a chance to serve seniors close to home. 

Volunteer opportunities include:

• Delivering meals to homebound clients
• Helping in the kitchen
• Leading activities at a congregate meal site

Want to volunteer? Openings are available Monday through Friday mornings. Fill out the volunteer inquiry form to get started.

Have questions? Email SeniorNutrition@unioncountync.gov or call 704-776-3924.

Union County's Senior Nutrition program serves older adults in two ways: through weekday meals delivered right to their homes, and through congregate meal sites where seniors can gather, eat together and connect with others. The program runs on the support of volunteers, County funding and community partners like Food Lion Feeds. Learn more about the program.