Butler Meals on Wheels delivers to seniors on Christmas Eve

December 26, 2024 Last Updated: December 25, 2024 09:49 PM Local News

Theresa Mortimer helps label bags to be filled with food as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Judy Dunaway prepares sandwiches as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Karen Grove, left, and Judy Dunaway put cheese on sandwiches as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Nikki Geibel helps prepare and fill bags to be delivered as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Judy Dunaway helps flips sandwiches to secure them in sandwich bags as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Karen Grove gets trays ready to be sent out to be put in individual bags as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Judy Dunaway helps fill bags with sandwiches and deserts as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Theresa Mortimer secures bags as they are being prepared to be delivered as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Karen Grove loads bags of food so they can be taken to be delivered as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Jan Lenzen fills trays with special nutritional requirements as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Jan Lenzen carries over hot pots of food as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Volunteers form an assembly line as they fill and cover trays of hot macaroni and cheese as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Heidi Morris, left, and Jan Lenzen load trays of hot food as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Hot trays are prepared to be delivered as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Carl Nanni and his wife Betty help deliver meals to the community as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Margaret Morrison loads her care up with a large carry bag of food to help deliver meals to the community as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Theresa Mortimer helps label bags to be filled with food as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Judy Dunaway prepares sandwiches as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Karen Grove, left, and Judy Dunaway put cheese on sandwiches as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Karen Grove, left, and Judy Dunaway put cheese on sandwiches as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Nikki Geibel helps prepare and fill bags to be delivered as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Nikki Geibel helps prepare and fill bags to be delivered as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Nikki Geibel helps prepare and fill bags to be delivered as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Judy Dunaway helps flips sandwiches to secure them in sandwich bags as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Nikki Geibel helps prepare and fill bags to be delivered as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Karen Grove gets trays ready to be sent out to be put in individual bags as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Nikki Geibel helps prepare and fill bags to be delivered as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Judy Dunaway helps fill bags with sandwiches and deserts as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Theresa Mortimer secures bags as they are being prepared to be delivered as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Karen Grove loads bags of food so they can be taken to be delivered as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Jan Lenzen fills trays with special nutritional requirements as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Jan Lenzen carries over hot pots of food as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Jan Lenzen carries over hot pots of food as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Volunteers form an assembly line as they fill and cover trays of hot macaroni and cheese as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Heidi Morris, left, and Jan Lenzen load trays of hot food as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Hot trays are prepared to be delivered as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Carl Nanni and his wife Betty help deliver meals to the community as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw
Margaret Morrison loads her care up with a large carry bag of food to help deliver meals to the community as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Serving up holiday cheer

It was Christmas Eve, but volunteers at St. Peter’s Anglican Church worked preparing food and organizing its delivery the same as any other day.

This year, Butler Meals on Wheels prepared 90 meals at the East Jefferson Street church for members of the community in need of assistance. The group of around 30 volunteers prepared cold bags of sandwiches, oranges and cupcakes as well as hot bags of mac and cheese and steamed vegetables.

The drivers loaded up their cars, and set out to 12 different routes for drop-offs.

Nikki Geibel helps prepare and fill bags to be delivered as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

“It’s a well-oiled machine. And everyone volunteering is happy to be here,” said Terri Tirk, program director.

Butler Meals on Wheels has served the Butler community for 55 years. Its main objective is to help clients who are homebound for medical reasons stay in their homes by providing meals.

“And a lot of our clients, they don’t really see anybody during the day. This could be their only visit. So it provides a wellness check, and their families are happy with that,” Tirk said.

Judy Dunaway helps flips sandwiches to secure them in sandwich bags as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

Butler Meals on Wheels serves its clients almost every day of the year, with volunteers taking off only on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

On Dec. 23, the group served its “Christmas meal” of chicken cordon bleu with cheesy potatoes.

While preparing the meals, Tirk said she received a call from one of their clients, expressing gratitude for helping them be able to stay in their home through their assistance in providing meals.

The Meals on Wheels team has about 200 volunteers, with a separate group working to prep the meals each individual day. With the capacity to make around 120 meals if needed with their current oven space, the mornings are busy for the group.

“I appreciate all of the volunteers coming in and giving us their time to make sure that these people have a hot meal, a daily check-in, that’s really what I appreciate,” Tirk said. “Because they give a lot of their time to come in and help people.

This is Tirk’s third year as program director, and her first time working on Christmas Eve.

Several members of the Meals on Wheels volunteer staff said they have served for over a decade.

Judy Dunaway, who has volunteered for more than 25 years, said she enjoys working with the same group of people every Tuesday, and especially while being able to help other during the holidays.

“We’ve worked together for so long. But I mostly come in and I make sandwiches, or whatever they need done, but I also deliver,” she said. “It’s nice to see our friends we work with on Christmas Eve while doing this.”

Butler Meals on Wheels clients range in age, from seniors in their 50s and 60s dealing with medical issues to those in their 80s and 90s.

Margaret Morrison loads her care up with a large carry bag of food to help deliver meals to the community as Butler’s Meals on Wheels volunteers prepare and deliver 90 Christmas Eve meals at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2024. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle. For more photos, go to photos.butlereagle.com

Rob McGraw

“I know some of them, if they did not have Meals on Wheels, they would not be able to stay in their own home. And that’s what’s so important about it” said volunteer Karen Grove. “They want to be able to stay in their home as long as possible, but they can’t do that cooking and get the variety that they get with Meals on Wheels.”

Volunteers said that while it is always important to help those in the community in need, volunteering over the holidays makes Meals on Wheels’ mission especially important.

“I think just knowing how much they appreciate it, it’s important,” Dunaway said.