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“I try to make people laugh,” says Larry, a MOWs driver who works out of the Carpenter Center in Manchester. “Sometimes depending on the client, I’ll think of some jokes in advance. . .it’s a small thing, but I think it means a lot.” Larry first came to MOWs in 2006 and over his 15 years with the agency, has served hundreds of clients across Manchester, Auburn and Bedford-among other towns. In addition to delivering meals, he helps with packaging and set up, often double-checking his client’s meals to ensure they get what they need.

Beyond what he calls “the satisfaction from doing the work,” Larry very much enjoys the team dynamic at Carpenter Center. “It’s a wonderful group of the people,” he shares. “There’s a real sense of camaraderie here.” Like many drivers, Larry is acutely aware of the issues some MOWs clients face around social isolation, especially in the wake of the pandemic. He estimates that a visit can average about 10 minutes, but he’s not one to check the clock when interacting with a client. “I try to spend the time I think they need,” he says.

Married over 30 years, volunteers Ken and Linda Jones fully embrace the Meals on Wheels mission. “You get to meet wonderful people,” Linda says. “Over time you learn about their families. . .we have the best conversations.”On this day, the Jones’s will cover more than 30 miles over three hours on their route which stretches from the town of Ossipee to towns in the shadow of Mt. Washington. Ken says “it’s a great feeling knowing we are helping people. They look forward to seeing us.”