We are in the season of “merry and bright” but for some of us who have lost loved ones, this time of year isn’t always merry and bright, and that is okay. Gratitude practices are well known for their ability to fight a case of the blues. When you’re feeling down or stressed out, it’s the best time to focus on the things in you’re life that your grateful for. Practicing gratitude can lift our spirits and improve our overall happiness levels. Here are 6 ways you can practice gratitude:
Volunteer to Deliver Meals on Wheels with us! Diving into new, positive experiences is a surefire way to practice gratitude. Delivering meals is such a treat. The client interactions are pleasant, the drive through Liberty/Dayton is easy, and the meals leave a yummy smell in your vehicle. What’s not to like? Sign up here.
Early Morning Musings As soon as you wake up in the morning and before you get out of bed, identify five things in your life that you’re grateful for. There is no better way to start the day than thinking about the people and things in your life that you appreciate.
Handwritten Notes Try to make this an actual handwritten note that you can send in the mail or leave at someone’s desk or leave on someone’s car or doorstep. Make it warm and detailed. Tell them how they make you feel and how special they are to you. Not only will it be the highlight of their day, it’ll also make you feel good and bring you closer together.
Gratitude Journal Keep a daily journal, and at the same time every day (morning or bedtime), write down three things in your life that you’re grateful for and why — this can be anything from family members, to a safe and warm home or something great you did that day.
Mealtime Musings and Prayer Before you eat your next meal, consider recognizing how many steps the food had to travel before getting onto your plate. Give thanks to the farmers, the transportation, the grocery employees, or anyone who prepared the meal — picture each of these steps and people along the way, giving thanks for their contribution to your meal. This is a perfect group or family gratitude practice for Thanksgiving Day. Try doing one of these practices every day for 30 days straight and notice how it makes you feel!
During “March for Meals” celebrated this year, our program was awarded a $9,000 Challenge Grant and given one calendar year to raise the funds.
The annual March for Meals celebration commemorates the historic day on March 22, 1972, when President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. This year, Meals on Wheels programs from across the country joined forces for the awareness campaign and to celebrate 50 years of success to garner the support needed to ensure these critical programs can continue to address food insecurity and malnutrition, combat social isolation, enable independence, and improve health for years to come. Programs from across the country have celebrated the month of March since 2002 to increase awareness for Meals on Wheels and recruit the support needed to meet rising demand.
Thanks to our generous supporters like you, since March we received $9,000 in new donations from the community and we have reached our goal!
We will now receive a matching donation of $9,000 from the Carl Anderson Foundation to cover expenses associated with feeding seniors in Dayton, Texas!
Through a partnership with the Dayton Community Center and City of Dayton, we provide hot meals five days a week for home-bound seniors in Dayton, Texas!
Thanks to all of our supporters for helping make this happen! Celebrate with us by sending a free card with a special message from you to a senior. Click below and we will print your greeting along with the card and deliver it with their meal this month!
Join our initiative by helping us provide a new towel set for our senior neighbors!
Sets will include a washcloth, hand towel and bath towel.
Shop our Amazon link below or drop off sets to our office at the First United Methodist Church choir hall located at 539 Main Street in Liberty anytime between 8:30-Noon, Monday through Friday! Towel sets will be delivered to clients with their meals the week before Christmas! If you would like to ride along to help deliver, please contact Hannah at 281-622-0528 or hannah@libertymeals.com to arrange a date to deliver.
A local sewing club in Cleveland, Texas will monogram each towel with the initials of each Meals on Wheels client!
Today, Jiffy Lube, an industry leader in vehicle maintenance for more than 40 years, and Meals on Wheels America, the leadership organization supporting community-based programs dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation, announce a national collaboration as part of Jiffy Lube’s Drive To Do More initiative. The affiliation will extend the brand’s commitment to vehicle maintenance by supporting fundraising efforts and volunteer recognitions that help keep the Meals on Wheels fleet on the road delivering meals to seniors in need.
“Jiffy Lube is committed to service – in terms of both helping drivers maintain their vehicles and giving back to the local communities in which we live and work,” said Sara Smith, CMO of Jiffy Lube International, Inc. “We are especially excited about our relationship with Meals on Wheels America as we are serving those who serve others by helping keep their vehicle on the road so they can continue to change the lives of seniors across the country.”
Drive to Do More with Meals on Wheels reflects a multi-faceted approach toward making a positive difference in communities. Jiffy Lube will recognize and reward Meals on Wheels volunteers who go above and beyond throughout the year. Additionally, Meals on Wheels staff and volunteers will receive a special discount on vehicle maintenance services to help keep their vehicles road ready. Jiffy Lube and its franchisees will also launch an in-store fundraising event during the month of October to raise monies to help provide meals and more – just in time for the holiday season.
“Meals on Wheels volunteers give more than just their time when they sign up for a route; they often commit their personal vehicles to deliver meals to homebound grandparents, veterans, and neighbors in their communities,” said Kristine Templin, Chief Development Officer of Meals on Wheels America. “We are delighted to work with Jiffy Lube to honor these local heroes who help ensure seniors at risk of hunger and isolation are not forgotten.”
The Meals on Wheels nationwide network of 5,000+ community-based senior nutrition programs is fueled by volunteers who deliver nutritious meals, friendly visits, and safety checks to more than 2.4 million homebound seniors annually. Based on a survey distributed to 1,000 local programs, each Meals on Wheels program, on average, depends on volunteers and staff to drive 1,500 miles per week to complete all of their delivery routes.
The Impact of Drive To Do More
With more than 2,000 service centers across the U.S., Jiffy Lube and its franchisees have raised millions of dollars to help make a difference in the lives of others. With the launch of Drive To Do More in 2019, the brand extended its philanthropic efforts to provide support to volunteers who rely on their vehicles to give back in their communities. Additionally, Jiffy Lube franchisees are committed to numerous charitable causes in their local markets – ranging from education and health to youth development and food security. The new, national relationship expands both Meals on Wheels America and Jiffy Lube’s reach and ability to transform lives, have a more meaningful impact, and create a community of strength, hope, and resilience.
Smith added, “Jiffy Lube and its franchisees are passionate about giving back as every dollar donated, every minute volunteered and every mile driven can make a positive impact in the lives of others.”
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About Meals on Wheels America Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. This network serves virtually every community in America and, along with an estimated two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education, research and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time.
About Jiffy Lube
Founded over 40 years ago, Jiffy Lube serves approximately 20 million customers each year at more than 2,000 franchised service centers across North America. Jiffy Lube pioneered the fast oil change industry in 1979 by establishing the first drive-through service bay, providing customers with fast, professional service for their vehicles. The company continues to lead the industry with the evolution of its business model, Jiffy Lube Multicare, which offers oil changes, brakes, batteries, and tires as well as other services consumers want and need. Headquartered in Houston, Jiffy Lube is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Shell USA, Inc. Visit www.JiffyLube.com to learn more about Jiffy Lube and vehicle care.
