Meals on Wheels

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Nancy and Beverly Show that there are No Limits to Being Able to Give Back

By Kerry Baldwin

Meals on Wheels has been serving the seniors of Northeast Florida for the past 60 years through Aging True Community Senior Services. The program provides hot meals to the elderly who have a physical or mental disability and are home-bound, living alone, or need help in the preparation of meals.

Nancy Taylor and Beverly Easterling have been members of the Church of Our Saviour Meals On Wheels ministry for the past 2 years. 

When Nancy moved to Jacksonville from Ft. Myers a few years ago, she and her husband, Bruce, started coming to Church of Our Saviour. Not knowing anyone yet, Nancy was seeking a way to get involved in a volunteer activity and saw an opportunity with Meals On Wheels. “It’s a ministry of service to the Lord and by helping others I am spreading the Gospel through my actions. It’s a way to get involved with people and be of service. People are so appreciative!”

Eventually, Nancy was asked if she would like a partner to ride with her and she said “yes!”. Beverly Easterling, who had recently recovered from hip surgery and having been homebound for quite some time, was also looking for a way to give back to the community. “I was living alone and knew how much the people who had been bringing me meals meant to me while I couldn’t walk. I kept thinking that when this is over, I want to do something good for others to pay back all the love I had received.”

And how has it been for Nancy and Beverly as a team? “We have become close friends through thick and thin!” said Beverly. Nancy agrees. “Beverly and I have so much fun doing this and I look forward to spending our time together each week. After our deliveries we go to lunch.”

According to Beverly, the Nancy & Beverly team is not slowing down anytime soon. “I’m turning 90 in June and feel so blessed that I’m able to get out and do this sort of thing for someone else while I still can. The people are so kind. I remember how important it was for me being home alone all day and then someone from the Our Saviour Meal Ministry would come by with a meal. It was a true blessing.”

Per Nancy, “None of the clients are from our church so it means we really get to do outreach.” The typical visit is a 1 - 2 minute meal delivery and wellness check-in but sometimes clients need a little extra love. Beverly notes “Nancy is the most wonderful person who will pray with people when they need prayer.”

Interested in learning more about joining or supporting Meals on Wheels? Contact ministries@oursaviourjax.org.