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Mobile Meals honors volunteers

WARREN — Officials from Trumbull Mobile Meals, which provides meals to residents in need, said the agency could not do all it does without help from volunteers and the community.

TMM held both a volunteer recognition banquet and the annual gala benefit at St. Demetrios Center. Jean Schlecht, one of the founders of TMM, said the celebration is the result of a great deal of work by many people, including the gift basket committee thatmade more than 130 baskets.

The traveling Chinese auction will be held Nov. 23 to Dec. 8, with baskets to be displayed at Eastwood Mall in the JCPenney wing.

“The support from the community is what has made this all possible. The volunteers do so much,” Schlecht said.

She said that invitations were not even sent out for the gala as it was already booked with 400 people ahead of time.

“There are so many people who care about their community. People come back every year to be part. It is well attended because of word of mouth,” Schlecht said.

Becky Edwards, director of Trumbull Mobile Meals, said she is always amazed at how many people attend the event. She said in 2017 the gala raised $43,000, and organizers hope to raise the same or more this year, she said.

“The volunteers are so important to our mission packaging and delivering meals and helping to plan the gala,” she said.

Students from Trumbull Career and Technical Center and Niles McKinley High School also volunteered at the gala.

Edwards said money from the fundraisers helps offset costs for meals.

TMM was started by the Trumbull Medical Society Alliance in 1970.

Volunteers help put in time packing and delivering meals Monday to Friday. Both individual, and public and private organizations can help.

“It is because of all their work that Trumbull Mobile Meals is successful,” Edwards said.

The agency delivers fresh homemade meals daily using local vendors.

“By spreading our good news you are creating awareness not only to the services we provide but the opportunities of volunteering and supporting other local businesses,” Edwards said.

l At the luncheon, volunteers were honored for years of service, including Virginia Voorhies, 45 years; Marge Kostolansky and Christine Kuklinca, 25 years; and Bob and Leanna Tucker, 20 years. In addition, others were recognized for one to 15 years of service.

l The Marcia C. Schneider Volunteer of the Year Award, which recognizes volunteers who go beyond already scheduled duties and doing special services to help, are Billie George, Larry Kirk and Richard Logan.

Lucy Zinz, past chair of the board of directors, said when delivering meals with her granddaughters, they were greeted by “friendly people who were really in need of our service.”

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