Navy Medicine Education and Training Command (NMETC) kicked off its Meals On Wheels (MOW) volunteer program March 17, giving military and civilian staff another opportunity to reach out to the local San Antonio, Texas, community by delivering meals to home bound seniors.

The command assumed responsibility of a route close to NMETC's home base of Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston one day a week, delivering meals to 10 senior citizens.

"This is a simple yet meaningful way for the command to get involved in the local community," said Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacquelyn Childs, NMETC deputy public affairs officer and lead coordinator for NMETC's MOW program. "We have a pair of volunteers go out each week on a quick route to bring the meals to people who no longer have the ability to go and get the things they would need otherwise."

Run by Christian Senior Services (CSS), MOW San Antonio prepares and delivers food to more than 3,800 people in San Antonio every weekday. The volunteers and staff who deliver the meals also provide interaction to combat loneliness and provide a general safety check.

"The people we serve are so grateful," said Childs. "It's touching. Many of them are especially happy to see people show up in uniform, and they love to talk to you. It's just overall a very positive experience."

Volunteers attend a brief orientation and submit an application to CSS, which runs a background check. Several staff members have already gone through the orientation and are eager to start.

"I just think it's a good chance to give back to the community, especially in a city like San Antonio that gives so much to the military," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Jeffrey James Cantillas, an NMETC skills manager and MOW volunteer.

"It seems like it would be a fun way to spend my lunch helping out," added Mark Kazak, an NMETC civilian e-learning development specialist and MOW volunteer. "It's really worthwhile."

A San Antonio MOW spokesperson said the program provides the meals at no cost to seniors but does accept donations from those who are able. Even if the seniors were paying full cost of the meals, they would spend about the same amount on meals for the whole year as they might spend on a nursing facility in just one week while also maintaining some independence in their own home. The spokesperson pointed out that nation-wide, the program even saves taxpayer dollars that would be required for nurse care. MOW San Antonio delivered more than 987,000 meals in Fiscal Year (FY) 2015, something Childs said NMETC volunteers are eager to support in 2016.

"We are a Navy Medicine command with staff who are even patient-care providers," said Childs. "So supporting the health and well being of those in need is in our DNA. We're all excited to get started with this great opportunity and look forward to continued growth in our community outreach efforts."

NMETC manages Navy Medicine's logistic and enlisted and officer education and training programs, medical operational training for medical and medical support personnel deploying worldwide. NMETC is part of the Navy Medicine team, a global health care network of Navy medical professionals around the world who provide high-quality health care to eligible beneficiaries. Navy Medicine personnel deploy with Sailors and Marines worldwide, providing critical mission support on the sea aboard ships, in the air, under the sea and on the battlefield.


For more news from Navy Medicine Education and Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.