Meals On Wheels Northeastern Illinois

10/30/2026

We're looking for volunteers at Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois. Volunteer opportunities include meal delivery drivers, route packers, kitchen prep, and operations help. Volunteers are vital to our non-profit and allows us to show up in our community. Volunteers do not need to have a set availability. Being a substitute or helping whenever it works in your schedule makes a huge impact. Visit our website www.mealsonwheelsnei.org or scan the QR code to get started!

10/29/2026

Meet Our Intern: Isabella Shin

At Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois, we love working with students who are eager to learn about nonprofit work and make a difference in their communities. We’re honored to welcome interns who bring fresh perspectives, new ideas, and a passion for our mission. As they learn alongside our team, we hope to show them the impact of our work and the importance of connection, compassion, and supporting our older adult neighbors.

Today, we’re excited to introduce Isabella Shin, a junior at Lake Forest College studying Human Narrative with Storytelling!

What are you most excited to work on during your internship?
“Capturing intimate moments that show the impact of the organization and interaction between volunteers and older adults.”

Tell us about a past project or experience!
“Over the summer, I was interning for Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly Chicago. I had such a wonderful time there, working alongside all of the organization’s wonderful volunteers, and hearing both their testimonies and the older adults that they help serve. Direct human to human connection is something that I heavily value and aspire for in all my future endeavors.”

What do you hope to gain from your internship at MOWNEI?
“I hope to gain a well rounded understanding of the values of MOWNEI, and learn to apply that to my everyday life. Additionally, I am looking forward to forming connections with fellow coworkers, volunteers, and older adults!”

Fun fact about Isabella:
She’s a novelist currently writing a nonfiction piece titled Seven Deadly Sins!

We’re so glad to have Isabella on our team and look forward to seeing the stories she helps bring to life. Her passion for human connection aligns beautifully with our mission to provide not only nutritious meals, but also meaningful moments of connection for the older adults we serve.

Want to intern at MOWNEI?
We’d love to hear from you! Send us a message or email Erin at [email protected] to learn more about internship opportunities.

10/28/2026

💙 Kindness starts young! 💙

A big thank-you to the fourth graders of Woodland School District 50 for creating handmade placemats for our Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois clients! 🎨🍽️

These thoughtful creations are more than just placemats. They’re a reminder to our clients that their community is thinking of them. We know these colorful, handmade touches will bring extra smiles to mealtime and brighten someone’s day!

We’re so grateful to see students learning the value of giving back and finding meaningful ways to make a difference in their community. Thank you, Woodland School District 50, for sharing your creativity and kindness with us!

10/26/2026

As National Estate Planning Awareness Week comes to a close, we’re leaving you with one final thought: True legacy isn’t just about what you leave behind, it’s about the footprint you leave on the world.

Whether it’s leaving a small percentage of an estate to charity or naming an organization as a beneficiary, planned giving turns future planning into a force for good. By intentionally structuring your estate, you can create a legacy that ensures vital resources, including nutritious meals and life-saving wellness checks, reach our homebound neighbors for years to come.

Thank you for celebrating with us this week! This comprehensive guide from Dean Dorton breaks down exactly how to turn your philanthropic intent into a structured, lasting impact while maximizing your tax benefits.

https://deandorton.com/articles/planned-giving-turning-philanthropic-intent-into-lasting-impact/

Explore Planned Giving as a strategic approach to support causes and align your charitable contributions with financial goals.

10/24/2026

“As I reach my first anniversary at MOWNEI, I’ve been reflecting on what this year has meant for our organization and the community we serve.

When I stepped into this role, I found a mission overflowing with compassion, volunteers delivering meals with care, staff working tirelessly behind the scenes, and a community that believes deeply in supporting older adults. What we needed was a clearer path forward, and over the past year, we’ve worked together to build one.

We’ve begun a meaningful culture shift — one rooted in steadiness, shared purpose, and trust. Volunteers, staff, and partners have shown remarkable openness as we strengthened communication, clarified expectations, and created space for honest conversations. That willingness to grow together has been one of the most inspiring parts of this year.

We’ve also renewed our focus on what matters most: delivering nutritious meals and human connection to the people who rely on us. That meant tightening operations, improving coordination, and making sure every decision supports the dignity and independence of our clients. Your commitment, especially our volunteers who show up day after day, has been the heartbeat of this renewed focus.

Transparency has been another cornerstone of our progress. We’ve worked to share more openly how decisions are made, how resources are used, and how challenges are addressed. This openness strengthens trust, and trust strengthens our mission.

Finally, we’ve invested in building long‑term capacity, improving systems, strengthening financial practices, and laying the groundwork for sustainable growth. These changes may not always be visible, but they are essential to ensuring MOWNEI can serve more people, more consistently, for years to come.

I’m deeply grateful for everyone who has been part of this journey. Year one was about rebuilding our foundation. Year two will be about expanding our impact — together.“ - Justin Block, Executive Director

10/23/2026

As we celebrate the power of planning ahead with National Estate Planning Week, we’re honoring a remarkable story of lifelong dedication to our community.

Former Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois volunteer Ann Stevens spent her life serving others. In 2023, she left behind one final gift, a bequest to support the mission she cared so deeply about.

Did you know that over 90% of charitable legacy gifts come directly through wills? Ann’s quiet generosity will help ensure that our homebound neighbors continue receiving nutritious meals, warm connection, and the support needed to live independently at home.

Like so many of our dedicated volunteers, Ann never sought recognition; she simply believed in caring for her neighbors. We are honored to carry her legacy forward and deeply grateful for her lasting impact.

10/21/2026

Happy National Estate Planning Awareness Week! As we kick this week off, it’s a wonderful opportunity to reflect on what matters most, protecting your loved ones and ensuring care for your community.

Did you know that over 70% of Americans don't have an up-to-date estate plan? Creating a plan is one of the most thoughtful ways to grant peace of mind to your family while ensuring your values live on.

Including Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois in your will or estate plan helps guarantee that your homebound neighbors will always have access to nourishing meals, friendly visits, and independence at home.

📜 Take control of your legacy today. Learn more about planned giving at mealsonwheelsnei.org/donate

10/15/2026

Fall Intern Update:

My name is Hallah and I have been a media intern for Meals on Wheels Northeastern Illinois for the past few months. These months have taught me so much more than the job I signed up to do. Working for a non-profit has shown me the power of a strong community. The care that each staff member and volunteer has for the community is inspiring. I’ve learned that sometimes the best work comes from collaboration and teamwork. Though I am a media intern, I have had numerous opportunities to work in different spaces and learn from other roles that surround me.

My role includes community outreach, analyzing data from our social media channels, and capturing content to share. My favorite day at Meals on Wheels was when I conducted two interviews with volunteers in the office. It was refreshing to hear their stories and understand their calls to action to serve their community. It was an honor to turn their stories into content to be shared on Meals on Wheels social media platforms and our newsletter. I am inspired by every person who is a part of this mission and will hold this experience closely for the rest of my career.

10/14/2026

A big thanks to our friends at Rotary Club of Wilmette for being such amazing community partners!