Staff photos / R. Michael Semple Ruth Rabel, left, and Wilbert Collins, both of Warren, prepare meals in the kitchen at Trumbull Mobile Meals, 323 E. Market St., Warren. Once packaged, the meals will be delivered to about 350 clients. TMM, which is marking its 55th anniversary, delivers approximately 125,000 meals annually.

WARREN — Trumbull Mobile Meals is marking 55 years of providing meals to homebound residents throughout the county — a service that TMM officials say would not be possible without help from volunteers.

The nonprofit organization, 323 E. Market St., provides home-delivered meals to those who are unable to secure or prepare a daily nutritious meal.

Audrey Novotny, CEO of TMM, said to mark the anniversary, a Buy a Tile campaign has begun to raise funds to expand and renovate the agency’s building. Work will be done to expand the kitchen area on the northwest section of the building.

Novotny said plans are to put the tiles on the side of the building off Vine Street for the public to see. The tiles can be purchased by individuals, families, organizations or companies in memory or in honor of someone.

Novotny said an individual who does masonry work is working with TMM to design a layout for the tiles.

She said the expansion project is estimated to cost $500,000.

TMM was founded in 1970 by Jean Schlecht and Pat Venetta to provide homebound residents with nutritious meals Monday to Friday.

They received assistance from the Trumbull County Medical Society Auxiliary.

Schlecht died last year at age 96 and was active with the organization up until the time of her death.

“The support from our community, our donors, the volunteers and businesses have made this possible. We would not be here without them,” Novotny said.

Novotny said volunteers help the staff with food preparation and boxing of items to be picked up by other volunteers who deliver the meals.

“We take great pride in what we do. We are a vital service to the community. We provide meals to help people stay in their home and have some independence,” Novotny said.

TMM serves an average of 350 clients and 125,000 meals annually.

Preparation of the food begins between 5 and 6 a.m. so all food is fresh. There are 200 volunteers who help TMM, with drivers coming from Rotary clubs, churches, businesses, real estate groups and other organizations.

The volunteers arrive at 8 a.m. to help with packaging meals and then drivers arrive at 11 a.m. and are done delivering by 1:30 p.m. There are 28 routes in the county.

Deb Reel, marketing director for TMM, said several organizations and churches have many people who volunteer, with many volunteers age 65 and older.

“Whatever they can provide to us we appreciate,” Novotny said.

Reel said some drivers meet TMM drivers at dropoff locations so they do not have to drive to Warren.

She said even during the coronavirus pandemic, local businesses stepped up and helped provide food to make sure meals could still be delivered. Reel said in 2025, numbers began to increase when the Office of Elderly Affairs, which provided meals, closed.

“We absorbed most of their clients,” Novotny said.

She said when she started with the organization in 2023, there were 200 clients, so the number has nearly doubled in three years.

Reel said TMM provides meals to the homebound of all ages and people recovering from surgery at home. Novotny said TMM assists those who are unable to prepare their own meals because of illness, frailty or limited mobility.

“We may be the only meal they get that day or the only person they see that day or all week. Our drivers, who are very caring and friendly, tell us how appreciative the people are to get a meal and see someone,” Novotny said.

Reel said family members who may live out of town are appreciative of what TMM does to help their loved ones.

‘We do more than just provide a meal. We are communicating with them and seeing them on a daily basis. We check on them and call them. We are concerned for our clients and want them to stay independent in their homes for as long as possible,” Reel said.

Novotny said TMM serves Monday to Friday, receiving a dietician approved hot meal and fruit, salad, juice, bread and milk, as well as a sandwich meal. She said special meals can be prepared for diabetics and those with kidney disease who need a low-sodium option. Weekend meals are delivered on Fridays.

WHAT’S AHEAD

Novotny said plans for 2026 include adding a garage outside to house and protect vehicles from inclement weather and theft.

Reel said the building has become crowded for the staff and volunteers, along with all the equipment and materials, which is the reason for the expansion.

“We are trying to repurpose the inside to allow for more walking room,” Novotny said.

She said warmers and steam tables have been added that take up space.

The expanded kitchen will allow the cooking staff and volunteers to have more room for preparing and packaging meals. Because of the increase in volunteers, there are also plans for an additional restroom.

For tile information and orders, visit donate.brickmarkers.com/tmm

TMM HISTORY

In 1970, TMM had its beginnings at Trumbull Memorial Hospital and then was at different locations, such as Central Christian Church and the YMCA until its current location at the corner of East Market Street and Vine Avenue in October 2006.

In the past, food was prepared at the hospital. Venetta was president at the time of the Trumbull County Medical Auxiliary and the auxiliary helped fund the TMM with $600.

The first meals were delivered on Nov. 9, 1970. Twenty women at the time volunteered to drive and deliver the meals to a handful of people, first only in Warren, and later expanding to other communities.

Fundraising events include a golf outing June 19 at Riverview Golf Course in Newton Falls. Reel said discussions are being held for a fundraiser in the fall.

Novotny said a volunteer recognition event will be in September.

Novotny said TMM is looking for new board members to serve for quarterly meetings.

For information on being a volunteer or helping in any other way, call 330-394-2538.