By Debra McLaughlin
In the hustle of everyday parenting, between school drop-offs, sports practices, and homework, finding time to teach our kids about empathy and community can feel like one more thing to add to an already full plate. But what if that lesson could come not from a lecture, but from a shared experience that actually strengthens your bond? Volunteering with your children, especially through a local organization like Mealson-Wheels, Inc. of Greenwich, offers exactly that opportunity: a meaningful, eye-opening way to spend time together while doing something that truly matters.
Meals-on-Wheels has been serving our Greenwich neighbors since 1960, delivering meals to homebound seniors, individuals with disabilities, and others who struggle to access consistent nutrition. What many parents may not realize is that their impact also extends to preschool children through a thoughtful partnership with Family Centers. Each month the organization provides shelfstable meal bags, purchased from Filling in the Blanks, to kids at Armstrong, Grauer, Warburg and Gateway preschools. These bags are designed to carry children through the weekend when school meals aren’t available, ensuring they have something nutritious and reliable at home.
Recently, Meals-onWheels board member David Finn brought his young adult daughter Gabrielle along to help deliver some of these bags. It was a simple act, handing out meals, but one filled with quiet power. For Gabrielle, it was a f irsthand look at the needs that exist beyond the classroom and an opportunity to realize that even as a college student, she could make someone’s day better. For David, it was a moment of shared purpose with his daughter, a memory they’ll both carry long after the delivery route ended.
As parents, we’re always looking for teachable moments and they don’t always come in the form of conversations at the dinner table. Sometimes they happen in the front seat of the car, heading to deliver food to someone in need. These experiences are what shape values that stick: gratitude, empathy, kindness, and the confidence that comes from knowing your actions matter.
Meals-on-Wheels makes it easy to get involved as a family. Volunteering just an hour or two a week can open your child’s eyes to the world around them, while also offering you a rare moment of connection in a busy life. It’s an activity that doesn’t just fill a schedule, it fills hearts.
So the next time you’re looking for something meaningful to do with your child, consider delivering meals together. It’s not just about delivering food; it’s about showing your child the joy of helping others and giving them the kind of perspective that no classroom can teach. And in doing so, you’ll be helping to nourish not only others, but your own family, too.
Check out mealsonwheelsofgreenwich.org to sign up or get more info.
