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» Learn moreMiracle Stories
Client Miracles
John Receives a Lifeline and Extends it to Others
Letter from a Client, Laura, 68
Ruby Shines On and Moves Forward, Even After a Stroke
Albert is Truly Grateful to be Back Home in America
Volunteer Miracles
Meal Delivery Runners and Drivers Share Their Moving Client Stories
Donor Miracles
The Silvas Are All Angels to L.A.'s Hungry
Earleen Has Planned a Legacy for the Hungry
Client Miracles
John Receives a Lifeline and Extends it to Others
Last year John nearly died from not eating. "I can't cook, and I don't get out much, so I just wasn't eating," said the 71-year-old who lives alone and copes with a number of health problems.
Dehydrated and near starvation, he ended up in the hospital's intensive care unit with congestive heart failure.
Upon his release from the hospital, John was referred to St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. "These meals have saved my life," he said. "They're tasty, and they're delivered right here every day. If I didn't get them, I know I wouldn't be eating."
Today John's health has improved, and he no longer worries about how to get the food he needs. To demonstrate his gratitude, he makes regular donations to St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.
"I do what I can do to help others who need these meals," he said, "because I know they make all the difference in the world."
Letter from a Client, Laura, 68
"Before Meals on Wheels, I would eat nuts and canned foods. Sometimes I waited for two ladies who would buy me three hamburgers for 99 cents, and I would cut one in thirds to eat every day. But one day, they stopped coming. I can't remember what I need to make a meal and then I forgot the pot's on the stove--and to top it off, I burn myself. Thanks to you, I have less stress. I don't have to worry about where my next meal is coming from, and the smiles of your delivery people really make my day. I really think I would be dead by now if it wasn't for you."
Ruby Shines On and Moves Forward, Even After a Stroke
At 85, Ruby has lived a life filled with family and hard work. She has been touched by tragedy, but her strong faith keeps her smiling.
Ruby has been widowed three times and lost one of her three children. Her remaining children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all live in Northern California. A stroke three years ago left her unable to walk without a walker and her right side is stiff and sore. Yet she still looks forward to the future with optimism.
Today, Ruby lives downtown in a run-down apartment building for seniors, but she feels isolated because few of her neighbors speak English and there are no group or recreational activities. "You could die here and no one would find you," she said. She dreams of moving to a new place where she could socialize with other seniors and attend church, but she makes the best of her situation.
Her beloved helper Peaches comes in the morning to make Ruby breakfast, help with her personal care and housekeeping, and take her to doctors' appointments. "I get lonesome when she leaves at lunchtime," said Ruby, "so I look forward to seeing my meal delivery person. Then I'm alone for the rest of the day and night."
"I appreciate the meals so much," she said. "They are balanced and good. I thank God I can depend on St. Vincent Meals on Wheels."
Albert is Truly Grateful to be Back Home in America
Albert, an 80-year-old Chicago native, spent the first 60 years of his life in the air and on the move. First, he was an airline employee. Then, during WWII, Albert served in the Air Transport Command.
After the war, as a general manager for Trans World Airlines, Albert lived abroad for 34 years.
Then his life took a turn. Twenty years ago, while living in Portugal, Albert was in a car accident that left him permanently disabled, and he returned to America to get the healthcare he needed.
Albert wears braces on his legs and uses two canes to walk. He requires medication for constant pain. He cannot shop or cook for himself and has been receiving meals from St. Vincent Meals on Wheels since 1987, which puts him among the clients we've served the longest.
"My meal-delivery person, Billy, has been a Godsend," said Albert. "Billy and the volunteers who come on the weekend help me out from time to time since getting around is difficult.
Receiving these meals is a life or death situation for me," said Albert. "I wouldn't get enough food to eat if it weren't for St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. I miss traveling, but I am proud to be in America where we have wonderful services like this."
Thi, meal runner
"I have one client who cannot walk and crawls to the door. I was worried about her because she was only eating her dessert, so I sat with her and urged her to eat some fruit. She got angry and then she began to cry. She said, ‘I love you—you care about me. I am not alone. I have angels like you to watch over me' She made me cry too. Now she says she counts the minutes until she sees me every day."
Frank, driver
"We used to deliver meals to a married couple who were very close; they had been together forever. One day she fell, got a concussion and had to go to the hospital. He was left alone, and he was blind. We found him crying and saying that he would die if anything happened to her. We were able to comfort and reassure him, and keep extra watch over him until she came home. So many of our seniors are so lonely. I like to give them a little extra love and attention."
Kathy, meal driver
"Sometimes we have to get involved. When a 93-year-old client didn't answer the door one day, we called building security. She was lying on the floor disoriented with a severely broken hip and knees that were bloodied from crawling on the floor all night. When the paramedics came, she refused to go with them, and they can't take her without her permission. I stayed for the next hour trying to talk her into getting the medical help she needed. Finally she agreed, and I escorted her to the ambulance. Her trust in us made the difference."
Leonor, meal driver and runner
"One of our clients in the Wilshire area wasn't friendly to others, but she opened up to me. Near the end of her life, she was confined to a wheelchair, but she would fall out of it. Each time I found her, I would help her change her clothes and put her back in her chair. One day she looked me in the eyes, kissed and hugged me and said goodbye. She passed away the next day. I'll never forget the connection we felt, and I know it meant a lot to her as well."
Donor Miracles
The Silvas Are All Angels to L.A.'s Hungry
In 2002, Angel, Robert and Vera Silva each arranged a charitable gift annuity* to benefit St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.
"Our mother taught us to be generous and giving—she's our inspiration," said Angel, who's retired. "We wanted to make gifts that would make a difference in the community, so we started looking around and doing research on worthy charities, and we found St. Vincent."
Sadly, Robert passed away in early 2003. So to honor their late brother, Angel and Vera each established a second charitable gift annuity, bringing the family's total to five generous gifts.
"We don't need to hang on to our money—it does more for us to share," said Vera, who owns a travel agency. "And elderly people who don't have anyone really need meals."
"When I was young, I was thrifty," said Angel. "I shined shoes for $7 a week and would walk everywhere to save a nickel on the streetcar. Now that I'm older, I think that if people like us don't give, who will?
"These days, I like to talk to other people about giving too. I remind them they're not going to live for 100 years, so now is the time to make a difference."
*Charitable gift annuities give donors a fixed income as long as they're alive. When the donors pass on, the remainder goes to St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. Charitable gift annuities are one of several planned giving tools that provide income and tax benefits while supporting worthy causes.
Earleen Has Planned a Legacy for the Hungry
Earleen Daly has worked hard and saved all her life, in a career that led to corporate accounting. She also took care of her aging mother for many years.
Today Earleen is enjoying the rewards of her lifetime of hard work. She often plays bridge and travels with her best friend Pat. For the past 11 years, Earleen has also enjoyed being a staunch supporter of St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.
She attends fundraising events, plus she's a Circle of Angels member. And now Earleen has let us know that she will be leaving most of her estate to St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.
"I made this decision because I am so impressed with St. Vincent Meals on Wheels," said Earleen. "Caring for the old and frail is so important to our community, and nobody does it better than Sister Alice Marie. I want to help the program keep up with the need after I'm gone. The need will only grow as more of us grow older. I encourage others to remember St. Vincent Meals on Wheels in their estate plans."
St. Vincent Meals on Wheels is deeply grateful to Earleen and others who have chosen to leave a legacy of food and love for homebound residents of L.A.