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WARREN -- More than 250 people who volunteer their time to make Trumbull Mobile Meals a success were honored by the organization at their annual volunteer appreciation luncheon.
The event at DiLucia's had volunteers with a year or less and some with 40-45 years of service.
TMM CEO Audrey Novotny said the luncheon celebrates the volunteers who prepare food, pack food and deliver meals five days a week to senior citizens and others in Trumbull County.
"If it weren't for our volunteers we would not be able to do what we do in getting meals to our senior citizens," Novotny said. "You are the heart of our organization amd what makes Trumbull Mobile Meals."
Gabriele Calior of Vienna, a retired Mathews Local Schols teacher, was selected as TMM's 2026 Volunteer of the Year for her service and time in the organization.
The Marcia C. Schneider Volunteer of the Year Award honors volunteers who show the willingness to do extra beyond already scheduled duties and services.
The award has been presented annually since 1991.
Calior has been delivering meals for seven years,
The person selected for the award goes above and beyond their service in making sure meals are delivered to senior citizens. They also must have been a volunteer for five or more years.
Volunteers with more than 30 years are Janet Cook (31), Marge Kostolansky (32), Christine Kuklinca (32), Keith Bowser (39), Rama Behan (40), Bruce McElroy (41), Dave Snyder (49) and Virginia Voorhies (53).
"The volunteers are so very important," Novotny said. "When they deliver meals, they may be the only person that senior citizen sees all day. This appreciation luncheon is to celebrate all of you and everything you do each day.'
The theme for the celebration was "Aloha!" with people dressed in Hawaiian style.
"Our volunteers help in so many ways," Novotny said. "They are in the kitchen fixing and packaging meals and then driving the meals to different places in the county."
Novotny said when volunteers deliver the meals and spend time with the meal recipients, they make the day of that person.
She said the volunteers are willing to step up regardless of the weather and how they feel to make sure the meals are delivered.
"It is an honor to work beside you providing meals to those in need," Novotny said.
TMM prepares 300 meals each day at its location on East Market Street.
The organization began in 1970, and the first scheduler of the volunteers was Jane Pollis of Cortland, who attended the event.
"When the organization started, I was on the committee, but because I could not drive at that time I was made the scheduler," Pollis said. "How wonderful it is to see all the volunteers who have helped make Trumbull Mobile Meals what it has been for 56 years."
The TMM Board of Directors includes Matthew Sauer, Dr. Shane Floyd, Richard Lytle, Shelby Gatti, Marsha Terry, Emily Cheeseman, Adam D'Apolito, James LaPolla and Lucy Zinz.
The advisory committee is Miranda Biyer, Paul Clouser, Marjorie Dangaran, and Gussie Reed.