“Meals on Wheels Gang’ hits the streets
Quirk, Heathers kids serve community by delivering food to shut-ins
The big, blue coolers are nearly as large as the two young children carrying it. But if the task was a struggle, their faces didn’t show it. Twins Ella and Rhys Heathers, age 8, are part of a special team, delivering food to those in need.
Liam, Ella, and Rhys Heathers tote blue coolers filled with food as part of their efforts for Meals on Wheels.
Their older brother, Liam, 11, is there to assist, as is the leader of this team: 93-year-old Max Quirk. Together, they are the Meals on Wheels Gang, and they spent this past Wednesday delivering meals to shut-ins across southwestern Kokomo and Howard County.
Quirk has been involved with Meals on Wheels for more than 20 years, but it has only been in the past five years that his “Meals on Wheels Gang” has been delivering food to shut-ins in Howard County.
The Heathers children attend Western Schools and connected to the Meals on Wheels program through Denise Morgan; their nanny and Quirk’s daughter. The “gang” gets together once a month and delivers six to eight meals to clients who are homebound and may be unable to prepare their own meals.
“The nice thing is they go to the door and say, ‘Meals on Wheels,’ and the older folks just smile,” said Quirk. “They really make a nice day for the older people. They love it, and the kids do, too.”
Quirk, a retired principal from Galveston Elementary School, said he can’t recall just how long he has participated in Meals on Wheels, but his desire to help the community hasn’t waned with age. The Heathers children obviously keep him young.
“I have always enjoyed helping with Meals on Wheels, but these guys make it so worthwhile,” said Quirk. “They are great young people.”
“He’s just kind of adopted the kids,” said Morgan.
“They’ve adopted me!” replied Quirk. “It makes me feel good.”
Max Quirk with the rest of his “Meals on Wheels Gang.”
Meals on Wheels started in Indianapolis in the 1960s, born from a concept used in Great Britain during World War II when volunteers would provide meals and care for the ill and elderly. The National Council of Jewish Women organized the first Meals on Wheels pilot program in Indianapolis with help from the Lilly Endowment and the Council on Aged and Aging.
The program expanded throughout central Indiana and became officially regionalized in 2006. Howard County’s Meals on Wheels program operates with the assistance of Ascension St. Vincent, and the organization is always looking for individuals willing to volunteer their time.
For additional information about Meals on Wheels, to volunteer, or to apply to receive meals, call 765-453-5516 or visit the Meals on Wheels of Howard County page on Facebook.