TAMPA, Fla. — The holidays don’t pause the need for help and Meals on Wheels Tampa is proving that by continuing its mission even on Christmas Eve. 

Today, the organization mobilized around 100 volunteers to deliver fresh, hot meals to seniors and homebound individuals across the Tampa Bay area.

What You Need To Know

 100 Volunteers will deliver fresh, hot meals to the homebound today in Tampa

 Local groups partnered with Meals on Wheels to provide gift bags for those receiving holiday meals

 Volunteers will provide a frozen meal for Christmas Day along with a hot meal for Christmas Eve

For more information on how you can help visit www.mowtampa.org

In addition to meals, volunteers also brought along special holiday gift bags to help spread cheer during a time of year that can be especially lonely for some.

The work begins early in the kitchen, where meals are prepared and gift bags are assembled. Those bags include items such as games, puzzles, socks, toiletries, calendars, and handwritten holiday cards created by local children.

While providing food is essential, Meals on Wheels Tampa emphasizes that its mission goes beyond nutrition. Volunteers also perform wellness checks, helping ensure recipients are doing well both mentally and physically.

Incoming Meals on Wheels Tampa CEO Mandy Cloninger says the holiday season can be particularly difficult for many clients who may not have family nearby. In some cases, volunteers are the only people they see.

“Meals on Wheels provides so much more than a meal,” Cloninger said. “We know that it is helping combat social isolation, improving mental health, and that volunteer bringing a smile — that knock on the door saying Meals on Wheels — it shows that the community is behind everybody.”

Meals on Wheels Tampa does not deliver meals on Christmas Day. However, volunteers made sure recipients were prepared by delivering a frozen meal along with their Christmas Eve delivery.

Those interested in volunteering or supporting Meals on Wheels Tampa during the holidays — or any time of year — can find more information at www.mowtampa.org.