Haywood County accepts $224,933.81 legacy gift to Meals on Wheels; program serves about 165 clients annually

At the May 19 meeting the board accepted and recognized a $224,933.81 donation to Haywood County Meals on Wheels in memory of longtime volunteer Linda Smathers Robinson. Ira Dub introduced the presentation and said Robinson volunteered for three decades; social work director Gayla Jones described program operations and how the donation would be used to serve people on the waiting list and to replace aging kitchen equipment.

"We served around 165 individuals on our program, which converted to 25,957 meals that we provided to the community," Gayla Jones said, noting that Meals on Wheels uses many local vendors, maintains a volunteer corps of about 70 people and delivers meals four days a week (five meals per week served). Jones described a pet-food program and nonperishable meal boxes that helped recipients during Tropical Storm Helene when deliveries were disrupted.

Staff and volunteers thanked Linda Smathers Robinson's family and noted the gift would help cover costly kitchen equipment replacement and program expenses. County leadership said the donation and volunteer program help reduce social isolation and support older residents who wish to remain in their homes.

Meals on Wheels staff encouraged community members to volunteer and noted additional funds will be used for kitchen equipment replacement, meal trays and program operations.