The holiday season is upon us, and the spirit of giving is alive! What better way to give back to our community than participating in this years #GivingTuesday by donating to the local organizations in Santa Barbara. Join Noozhawk this #GivingTuesday and make a donation to a local nonprofit.
Noozhawk is teaming up with local nonprofits to encourage you to take part in the international day of giving, which takes place on November 30th, 2021.
It is no secret that this past year and a half has been full of challenges. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, local nonprofits need your support now more than ever.
Our Good for Santa Barbara Nonprofit Section provides all the resources you need to donate this holiday season, including a full Giving Guide with a list of local nonprofits who need your help this Giving Tuesday.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Dan Kronstadt, Co-President of the Board of Directors at Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels, to learn more about how the nonprofit is dedicated to delivering an affordable, freshly-prepared meal 365 days a year to elderly and homebound residents of our community.
Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels
Question: What is the name & mission of your nonprofit?
Answer: Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels, Inc. is dedicated to delivering an affordable freshly prepared meal every day of the year – 365 days a year – to elderly and home-bound residents of our community, providing both nutrition and personal interaction in support of their effort to live independently, with dignity, as long as they are able.
Q: How long has your nonprofit been in service?
A: Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels began in 1971, celebrating our 50th anniversary this year. Two local women, Madeline Blickley and Lilla Burgess, saw the need and moved forward to make it happen. We were first a pilot program for six months through the Community Action Commission, with volunteer drivers arranged by the local American Red Cross. We started with 18 meals per day and two drivers, currently we serve over 150 clients per day and 8 drivers and will serve our 2 millionth meal by the end of December!
Q: How has COVID-19 impacted your nonprofit?
A: We were very fortunate to have the support of Valle Verde Retirement Community, who provides our food, to change our distribution center to meet all COVID-19 safety regulations. We instituted safety requirements and procedures for our volunteer drivers for delivering the food to ensure the safety of both the driver and the clients. We did lose some of our drivers because of the pandemic; however, those who stayed stepped up and we did not miss a day. Also, our client base increased due to the mandatory shutdown and the need for home delivery to at-risk individuals.
Q: In what ways does your nonprofit utilize its funding?
A: We get no federal funding, but we do have a basic grant from Santa Barbara County and grants from five locally oriented foundations that help us cover the funding gap between what our clients pay which is on average 26% less than our actual per-meal cost of $6.47. In addition, income from our endowment, along with miscellaneous donations and bequests from our generous community, covers minimal staffing and operational costs.
Q: Describe your organizations staffing models and internal operations. Has anything changed since the start of your nonprofit?
A: We currently have one part-time administrative assistant and one part-time volunteer driver coordinator. From 1971 to 1976, our operations were run by volunteers. In 1976, we hired a Program Administrator.
Q: How do people get involved/volunteer for your nonprofit?
A: In many cases, volunteers bring in new volunteers. We also have an application on our website, Meals on Wheels America refer individuals who contact them regarding volunteering if they are in our area, and we participate in an annual Nonprofit Volunteer Open House and the annual Senior Fair.
Q: What makes your nonprofit different from others?
A: We deliver ready-to-eat hot meals 365 days per year. We cater to special dietary needs such as vegetarian, diabetics, lactose-intolerant, etc. Also, in many cases, our volunteers are the eyes and ears for out-of-the-area family. If we see a client in distress, we contact their family so they are aware and can follow up.
(Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels photo)
Q: Can you share one or two stories of individuals whose lives have been changed because of your organization?
A: One of our clients is a blind veteran with no local family. He had someone who looked in on him but this individual has left the area. A few of our volunteer drivers who have been delivering to him for quite some time have now taken on assisting him. They bring him coffee in the morning, place his food where it is accessible to him, help him with reading his mail, keeping up with his social services, etc., even cleaning his house from time to time!
Q: How does the work of your nonprofit get communicated to the public?
A: We are fortunate to be able to use the name known around the city, the county, the state, and the country – Meals on Wheels. There are many versions of Meals on Wheels – we happen to think our version is the best. Some Meals on Wheels groups deliver food once per week – some frozen, some ready to eat… We deliver what our name is: meals. Simply: meals.
So we come into this with a tremendous advantage for feeding people. Potential clients often read about meals for people in need – it could be from a food bank, or from a church or temple, or from a market that gives away food that it cannot sell. They look up Meals on Wheels – and they come to us.
We will be honest here: we cannot afford to just give away food. Some organizations do that – but it’s not the same as delivering a good, hot meal. For those who need a service like ours, we are the best choice available.
Q: Why should donors trust your organization and are there other ways to help outside of donations?
A: Our larger donors have been with us for years, because they know they can trust us to spend THEIR money well. Our small donors know that, too – and we appreciate their contributions just as much as the large ones. Our goal is to grow our endowment a little bit at a time, while delivering good, hot meals every day to those who need it. We live and work and volunteer in a wonderful city, and many people can afford to pay for their meals – but they cannot go out and buy the food, then cook it, and make it easy to clean up afterward. That is something we can do for them.
Click here to support Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels mission to deliver affordable, freshly-prepared meals 365 days a year to elderly and homebound residents of our community.