CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The number of people requesting lunches from Friendship Trays, the primary Meals on Wheels program in Mecklenburg County, is declining. 

What You Need To Know

  • The number of people requesting lunches from the primary Meals on Wheels program in Mecklenburg County is declining

  • The trend started during the pandemic

  • Friendship Trays says it has the capacity to serve more people

According to Kelly Vass, the program director of Friendship Trays, part of Loaves & Fishes, the trend started during the pandemic. 

“It had to do more with interaction and individuals being able to have meals prepared by their family members who were at home as well,” Vass said. 

In 2019, Friendship Trays delivered 520 affordable meals each weekday. Now, the group is delivering 400 meals each weekday.

Volunteers, including Lentz Morton, help Friendship Trays deliver the lunches. 

“It’s very satisftying to be able to help somebody have a nutritious meal for the day and help somebody out that is less fortunate than I am,” Morton said. “It’s very satisftying to be able to help somebody have a nutritious meal for the day and help somebody out that is less fortunate than I am,” Morton said. 

During this delivery date, Morton had fewer recipients on his route. 

“It’s decreased some on average,” Morton said. 

Recipients Joan and David Morin are grateful for this program. The veteran and his wife have health issues and are mostly homebound. 

“I don’t know what I would do without these guys,” Joan Morin said. 

Recipients with limited funds, including the Morins, often receive meals thanks to the generosity of sponsors. 

“It helped us in some tough spots, I’ll tell you. They’ve been wonderful too. I haven’t been able to pay for the meals and they’ve been giving them to me anyway,” Joan said. 

Making a difference is one of the reasons Morton continues to volunteer 14 years and counting. 

“I’ll help them in any way I can,” Morton said. 

Since 2021, Friendship Trays merged with Loaves & Fishes to help more neighbors in need. 

Other than their main pickup location, Friendship Trays has two satellite locations closer to Matthews and Huntersville where volunteers can pick up meals. 

The group is planning to open a third satellite location to recruit more volunteers in the Steele Creek area. 

If you are interested in volunteering, contact mcochrane@friendshiptrays.org. If you are interested in donating, visit the Frienship Trays website.