Share the Love with Vulnerable Seniors This Year

November 21, 2019

Catholic Charities Joins Meals on Wheels America and Subaru of America, Inc. in Sharing the Love This Holiday Season

Exciting news! For the 12th year running, the Meals on Wheels network is participating in the 2019 Subaru Share the Love Event. Over the past eleven years, Subaru and its retailers have helped Meals on Wheels to deliver more than 2.2 million meals nationwide to seniors in need.

Why does Subaru support Meals on Wheels? Too many seniors are struggling to stay independent and healthy. One in four seniors lives alone in isolation and one in seven seniors might not know from where their next meal is coming. This is simply unacceptable, which is why Catholic Charities Meals on Wheels Program provides the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks to the seniors of the eight counties we serve in Central Minnesota. This vital support keeps seniors in their own homes, where they want to be.

We’re incredibly grateful to Subaru and our local retailer, St. Cloud Subaru, for supporting our organization and the seniors we serve. With that in mind, we thought you might want to learn a little bit more about the Subaru Share the Love Event.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS

This November 14, 2019, through January 2, 2020, for every new Subaru vehicle purchased or leased, Subaru will donate $250 to the customer’s choice of participating charities.* Meals on Wheels is one of four national participating charities and has been since the inception of the event. Through this event, as a member of Meals on Wheels America, Catholic Charities will receive a share of the donation from Subaru vehicles sold at participating Subaru Retailers.

You might not be in the market to purchase a new car, but if you are, please look into the Subaru Share the Love Eventto learn more. If you’re not shopping for a new vehicle, you can still help by spreading the word to your family and friends. A few quick and easy ways to do that:



And remember: this holiday season you can ensure our senior neighbors are not forgotten, when you purchase or lease a new Subaru and select Meals on Wheels as your charity of choice.


*Disclaimer: Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 14, 2019, through January 2, 2020, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 15, 2020. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc.

Our Recent News

New Hot/Cold Truck Strengthens Meals on Wheels Service in Wright County

By Brittany Hoversten • September 8, 2026
Catholic Charities is expanding its ability to serve older adults across Wright County with the addition of a new hot/cold delivery truck, made possible through funding from the Central Minnesota Council on Aging (CMCOA) and generous community support. The investment will help strengthen and grow Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining services, ensuring nutritious meals reach more seniors safely and efficiently. As the demand for nutritious meal services continues to rise, reliable transportation plays a critical role in connecting older adults with the food they depend on every day. The new truck improves the delivery process by transporting meals from Catholic Charities' production kitchens to community meal sites and home-delivered meal routes throughout the region. Designed with separate heated and refrigerated compartments, the vehicle allows staff to transport hot, fresh meals and frozen meals at the same time while maintaining strict food safety standards. The truck's specialized design ensures meals arrive at the proper temperature, preserving both quality and safety for those receiving them. The vehicle can carry hundreds of meals daily, significantly increasing delivery capacity and operational efficiency. Before the addition of the truck, meals were transported using insulated hot and cold bags, requiring additional handling and limiting the number of meals that could be delivered on each route. Today, hot meals leave the kitchen at approximately 180 degrees and maintain safe temperatures throughout transport, arriving at the recommended serving temperature of 165 degrees. Frozen and refrigerated meals are delivered below 40 degrees, allowing recipients to safely store them upon arrival. The impact extends beyond meal quality. Staff and volunteers now spend less time loading, unloading, and managing insulated bags, allowing them to focus more on serving clients and ensuring deliveries are completed safely and on time. Meals are delivery-ready when the truck arrives at outreach locations, creating a more streamlined process that benefits everyone involved. "Food access for rural seniors continues to be a growing concern," said Stacy Lund, Program Director. "The truck will provide opportunities for Catholic Charities to continue service in our rural communities as operational funding and resources become more limited while community need continues to increase." More than just a vehicle, the new hot/cold truck represents an investment in the future of Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining services. It provides the infrastructure needed to meet growing demand, expand service opportunities, and support older adults who rely on these programs to remain healthy, independent, and connected to their communities. In a fitting tribute, staff have named the truck Grace in honor of Sister Grace, a beloved former employee whose legacy of service continues to inspire the organization's mission today. Like its namesake, Grace will help deliver not only nutritious meals, but also the caring connections that make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults across Central Minnesota. About Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining Catholic Charities' Meals on Wheels and Senior Dining programs provide nutritious meals and meaningful social connections for older adults throughout Central Minnesota. Through home-delivered and congregate meal services, the programs help individuals maintain their independence, improve food security, and remain connected to their communities. The addition of Grace ensures Catholic Charities can continue advancing that mission for years to come.

The Difference a Volunteer Can Make

By Brittany Hoversten • September 2, 2026
If you've spent time with Brian Woods, you've probably heard a great story.

Family Volunteers Bring Hope to Our Community

By Brittany Hoversten • June 16, 2026
At Catholic Charities, we are blessed to witness moments that reveal the true spirit of community. During a recent visit to our St. Cloud Senior Dining program, our team saw one of those moments firsthand. Grandpa Ray and his grandson, Noah, were preparing to deliver meals—a routine that has become a treasured family tradition. Ray often brings all three of his grandsons, turning service into something that strengthens their bond while uplifting others. Our Senior Dining Coordinator, Kim, shared that Ray and his grandkids have become a bright spot for many of the neighbors we serve. For those receiving meals, it’s not just about nutrition. It’s the warmth of a familiar smile, the energy of young people at the door, and the reminder that they are seen and cared for. This simple act of delivering meals shows the power of serving together—building community, connection, and hope one doorstep at a time. We depend on volunteers like Ray—and like you—to bring compassion to our neighbors. If you feel called to serve, explore our volunteer opportunities, including meal delivery and family volunteering. Your kindness could be the moment someone looks forward to each day. Make an impact and volunteer with us!