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Now it is like they are parents and I am the kid,” Florence says. ... “I am really grateful to the people who suppor
BEHIND THE

WHEEL

The Newsletter for Friends of Meals on Wheels Chicago Fall 2017

Meals on Wheels Chicago — A Community of Caring It is easy to get lost in the numbers. This many thousand people received this many millions of meals that allow them to remain at home and in their communities. But every person has a name and a story. Beyond that, there is someone who delivered the meal, someone who packed the meal and, in the beginning, someone who donated to Meals on Wheels Chicago to ensure a senior or a person with disabilities would receive nutritious meals that allows him or her to remain at home. In this issue of Behind the Wheel, we show you how Meals on Wheels Chicago works. You play a vital role, as it is your generosity that makes a genuine difference in the lives of our homebound and food vulnerable neighbors.

MEAL RECIPIENT

Florence and Barbara Ann: Keeping Mom at Home “Believe it or not, I am old enough to be one of the original Woolworths girls. I outlasted them. I am even older than my church. It just turned 100, I will be 104 in December.” Florence raised two children after her husband died 46 years ago. She was doing well until she was hit by a van in 1994 and broke both her legs. She had to be hospitalized with serious infections twice. “We thought we were going to lose her,” said Barbara Ann, her daughter. “The doctors said she could not be on her own. But I live 100 miles away and my brother can’t care for her on his own. So we split the duties.” “Now it is like they are parents and I am the kid,” Florence says. “There’s a whole bunch of dos and don’ts on the refrigerator. Must be payback.” “We are so grateful to Meals on Wheels Chicago. Mom can’t cook anymore. The meals mom gets are nutritious and have lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Plus, she gets a weekly visit from Calvin. He not only brings Mom her meals, he brings a smile, a hug and a knuckle bump. When she turned 101, he had his congregation sign an enormous birthday card for her!”

“Meals on Wheels Chicago is the best!” So what’s the secret to a long life? Florence shrugs. “I worry, but not too much. I eat well. I particularly like mostaccioli and meatballs that Calvin brings. And I drink Dr. Pepper. He’s the doctor who has done the most for me!”

GENEROUS DONORS

Karen and Staci: A Special Place in Our Hearts “Both of us are old souls and have a special place in our hearts for senior citizens. As real estate professionals, we see the economic disparity in our community and its effect on our homebound neighbors. Given the financial turmoil in our city, state and country, we decided it was time to not just think charitably, but also to act charitably.” > MORE ON PAGE 3

VALUED PARTNERS

Minerva and Blanca: A Family Affair “Open Kitchens is like a family. Teri (Fiore), Rick and their kids respect how long I have worked here. Everyone at Open Kitchens works together to make sure people who are disadvantaged and disabled can eat good food.” > MORE ON PAGE 3

“I am really grateful to the people who support Meals on Wheels Chicago,” Florence says. “I salute you. Meals on Wheels Chicago is the best!” SUPPORT OUR HOMEBOUND NEIGHBORS Meals on Wheels Chicago 1111 N. Wells St., Suite 307 Chicago, IL 60610 or donate online: bit.ly/donatemowc817d

BEHIND THE WHEEL

CORPORATE

PARTNERS

The Newsletter for Friends of Meals on Wheels Chicago

“We salute Breakthru Beverage Group, the official sponsor of our 30th Anniversary and Conagra Brands Foundation, one of our newest corporate partners.”

Throughout our history, Meals on Wheels Chicago has been the beneficiary of partnerships with area corporations. Whether it has been monetary contributions or employees volunteering with our clients, we truly honor our corporate partner’s commitment to our homebound or food vulnerable neighbors. We salute Breakthru Beverage Group, the official sponsor of our 30th Anniversary and Conagra Brands Foundation, one of our newest corporate partners.

Breakthru Beverage Breakthru Beverage Illinois is proud to be the official sponsor of Meals on Wheels (MOW) Chicago’s 30th anniversary. This is especially meaningful to Breakthru IL as they and MOW Chicago have partnered together for nearly 10 years. Partnering with MOW Chicago directly aligns with Breakthru’s mission to give back to its communities. “It’s very meaningful for Breakthru to be involved with a group so dedicated to bettering the lives of others,” said Hillary Wirtz, Breakthru IL on-premise business manager. Historically, Breakthru has sponsored several of MOW Chicago’s annual events including the recent beer-centric Chicago on Tap. Breakthru also hosts quarterly food drives to help collect food for MOW’s programs, and they’re now gearing up for the Celebrity Chef Ball, Nourish, which is particularly exciting as Breakthru and the Wirtz Family are this year’s honorary chairs.

Conagra Brand Foundation Meals on Wheels Chicago thanks the Conagra Brands Foundation for its generous $25,000 grant to support its Home-Delivered Meals for Individuals with Disabilities. “We welcome Conagra as our neighbor and our partner,” said Meals on Wheels Chicago Executive Director, David Tabak. “Like Conagra, we believe everyone has a right to healthy and nutritious food. Conagra Brands Foundation truly manifests its mission by its generous support of our meals program that allows people with disabilities to remain in their homes and active in their communities.” Meals on Wheels Chicago plans to greatly expand its home-delivered meals service to people with disabilities next year. We look forward to partnering with Conagra Brands Foundation in this important work of providing dependable and nutritious meals to our homebound neighbors with disabilities.

Breakthru IL is honored to continue its impactful relationship with MOW Chicago and they’re looking forward to many years to come! If you would like more information on corporate partnerships, please contact Meals on Wheels Chicago Director of Development, Margo Willard at [email protected].

For 30 years, Meals on Wheels Chicago has provided millions of meals for thousands of homebound seniors or people with disabilities. All of this has been made possible by generous donors like you. We are honored to have this milestone recognized by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the City of Chicago. “I urge all Chicagoans to join in commemorating this incredible milestone by supporting this vital organization.” Rahm Emanuel, Mayor of Chicago

SUPPORT OUR HOMEBOUND NEIGHBORS Meals on Wheels Chicago 1111 N. Wells St., Suite 307 Chicago, IL 60610 or donate online: bit.ly/donatemowc817d

BEHIND THE WHEEL

The Newsletter for Friends of Meals on Wheels Chicago

The Road Forward — Meals on Wheels Chicago Strategic Plan In June, the Meals on Wheels Chicago board of directors approved a new three-year plan with the goal of increasing service to food-insecure senior citizens and people with disabilities. One of the initiatives is to increase home-delivered meals for people with disabilities who do not qualify for meal deliveries for people 60 years and older. According to a recent report, an estimated 31% of Chicagoland households that include a working-age adult with a disability are food insecure, compared to 8% in households that do not include a working-age adult with a disability. Below are some voices of the people with disabilities quoted in the report:

The pantry near me is on the second floor. I spend an hour and a half making my way here, but I am on a special diet. So now I have nothing but an apple I can take home.

I’m 45-years-old and have a disability. I’m not old enough to get certain services, so where does that leave me?

The preferred solution most often mentioned by people with disabilities is home-delivered meals. To meet this growing need, Meals on Wheels Chicago will increase home-delivered meals to people with disabilities by more than 30%. We look forward to sharing our progress with you in future newsletters and on our web site: www.mealsonwheelschicago.org.

>C  ONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Karen Biazer and Staci Slattery are owners of North Clybourn Group, a real estate company in Chicago. “We’ve been around since 1989. We are blessed that the company has grown over these years. We used to do a lot of volunteering, but now our schedules do not allow us to do as much as we would like. This year we decided to give consistently to five or six charities that are doing genuine good in our community. One of those charities is Meals on Wheels Chicago.” “Karen’s mother passed away last year, so Meals on Wheels Chicago is a great way to achieve our charitable goals and honor her memory.” “We believe that a society is judged by how it treats the least of us. We are proud to join the thousands of generous donors who support Meals on Wheels Chicago.”

“We are grateful Meals on Wheels Chicago ensures our homebound neighbors receive nourishment and encouragement.”

>C  ONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Minerva has worked for Open Kitchens (that prepares and delivers Meals on Wheels Chicago meals) for 38 1/2 years. “A lot has change since 1988 when the Fiores took over and became the new owners. Open Kitchens is more organized and that means we can help more people. It is important to me to do work that helps people who need it. I have a neighbor who receives Meals on Wheels. She likes the turkey with green beans and the roast beef with mashed potatoes. I think about her when I am packing meals. I know how much it means to her.” “My kids feel the same way. My daughter, Blanca works in the office and another daughter, Rosa, packs supplies. And now my granddaughter, Selena, works with me on the line. Like the Fiores we are a family doing good.

“I am grateful there are a lot of families donating to Meals on Wheels Chicago to make sure people like my neighbor can stay at home and in our community.”

SUPPORT OUR HOMEBOUND NEIGHBORS Meals on Wheels Chicago 1111 N. Wells St., Suite 307 Chicago, IL 60610 or donate online: bit.ly/donatemowc817d

BEHIND THE WHEEL

The Newsletter for Friends of Meals on Wheels Chicago

SECURE YOUR LEGACY We honor the memory of Lynette Flowers who included Meals on Wheels Chicago in her estate plan.

Meals on Wheels Chicago Board of Directors Chris Campbell Chair

You can leave a legacy of generosity with a planned gift to Meals on Wheels Chicago. Your plan today will ensure future generations of homebound Chicagoans will always have a source of nutritious meals.

Veeral Sheth, MD Chair Elect James Vogdes IV Treasurer

Remembering Meals on Wheels Chicago in your estate plan isn’t difficult, and you don’t need to be wealthy — each legacy gift, no matter the size, makes a difference

Carrie Jost Secretary Dan Safran Immediate Past Chair

Frequently Asked Questions Don’t I have to be rich to make a legacy gift? Absolutely not. An estate is simply the value of everything you own. Most people have very respectable estates when they add everything together. And, remember, you can make a legacy gift of any size.

Karen Tamley MOPD Representative Nikki Proutsos DFSS Representative Mark Buchmann

What can I leave to Meals on Wheels Chicago besides cash?

Jordan Dalton

You can make a gift of just about anything you own — cash, stocks, life insurance policies, retirement accounts, real estate, or personal property.

Larry Feller Joyce Gallagher

Do I need a will to make a legacy gift? It depends on the type of gift you make. Some legacy gifts need to be part of your will to be valid. Please consult a professional advisor to ensure your wishes will be honored. Is there an easy way I can leave a legacy gift to Meals on Wheels Chicago in my will? To leave a gift to Meals on Wheels Chicago in your will, you may use the following language: “I leave Meals on Wheels Chicago the sum of $___ (dollar amount), OR ___% (percentage) of the residue of my estate to be used at the discretion of its Board of Directors.” For more information on Meals on Wheels Chicago’s planned giving options, please contact our Director of Development, Margo Willard, at [email protected]

“The Meals on Wheels Chicago Celebrity Chef Ball is always one of the most spectacular culinary events of the year.” - Chicagoist

Friday, Nov. 10, 2017 Morgan Manufacturing 401 N. Morgan Chicago West Loop

Irini Kolaitis, MD Amy McCarty Jennifer McConnell Timothy McGuire Toral Patel, MD Jan Reed Kimberly Taylor Lisa Zebovitz

Staff David Tabak Executive Director Margo Willard Director of Development

Celebrity Chef Ball – Do good by eating well

Celebrity Chef Ball is two parties in one:

Anthony Fiore

VIP Dinner

Chef’s Tasting Party

Your evening starts with a VIP cocktail reception, followed by an intimate and unique dining experience. You and your guests will be seated in small clusters, each served by three top chefs and a personal mixologist. The evening features a 6-course dinner and VIP pastry stations.

The Chef’s Tasting Party features a dine-around at which you and your guest can sample the fare of more than 40 of Chicago’s top chefs, while enjoying creative cocktails. As an added benefit, VIP dinner participants can also attend the tasting party.

Fawn O’Brien Development Associate

Main Office 773.661.4550

For tickets to the VIP Dinner or Chef’s Tasting Party, visit www.mealsonwheelschicago.org. SUPPORT OUR HOMEBOUND NEIGHBORS Meals on Wheels Chicago 1111 N. Wells St., Suite 307 Chicago, IL 60610 or donate online: bit.ly/donatemowc817d