Ms. Jo Ellen

Ms. Jo Ellen, 86, who lives alone in her Northeast Side home, grew up in Illinois but would tell you that she's lived all over the United States. As a former singer, Ms. Jo Ellen performed with famous jazz players like Joe Williams, Count Basie, and Lady Day.

"I loved being in show business, I could tell you so many stories," Ms. Jo Ellen says, smiling.

Ultimately, as the years went by, she started working for Sprint "when they had 25 employees" and eventually moved to another telephone company, which brought her to San Antonio.

Now, Ms. Jo Ellen depends on Meals on Wheels not only for her nutrition, but also companionship and a safety check, vital necessities for senior and disabled adults in the community.

Ariel, one of Ms. Jo Ellen's regular meal delivery volunteers from H-E-B, says, "Jo Ellen's on a first name basis in our office. We all love Jo Ellen, and we want to make sure she gets her meals.

"It's like a family, I feel like I know everybody," Ms. Jo Ellen says.

Ms. Jo Ellen also benefits from having a Friendly Visitor, a program designed to help combat isolation. Every week she gets a visit from her Friendly Visitor volunteer Allen, and they play Scrabble together, or he helps her with technology issues.

"This organization has helped me out in more ways than I can express," she says. "I don't know how I would be able to do it."

Your future support ensures that Meals on Wheels has the resources we need to provide needed services to Ms. Jo Ellen and other seniors in the community. Contact Vinsen Faris at 210-735-5115 or VinsenF@mowsatx.org to learn about your giving options.