Staff Philanthropist of the Month

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we appreciate the dedication of team members like Deshawn Jackson, our Senior Driver Manager, who has been helping us deliver More Than A Meal for 3 years and truly embodies our mission!

Deshawn describes working here as a "pure blessing" because he sees how our Meals on Wheels team can step in to meet the needs of our community's senior and disabled neighbors. So, to ensure that our drivers have everything they need to serve those who rely on these meals is why he's always quick to lend a hand and support our drivers with whatever they need to help keep our mission moving. That's why, for him, giving back to Meals on Wheels beyond his daily work is a "true honor."

When asked if he could have an unlimited supply of anything, he said food, so he could "alleviate suffering globally". That wish is the same one we have as we work to End The Wait for our homebound neighbors.

Thank you, Deshawn, for everything you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we appreciate the dedication of team members like Joseph Casarez, our Grant Manager, who has been helping us deliver More Than A Meal for almost 4 years and truly embodies our mission!

As our Grant Manager, Joseph works behind the scenes bringing in funding that fuels our mission. But his impact goes far beyond writing proposals and cultivating donor relationships; he takes the time to understand every part of our work. Whether he's offering feedback for the meals we serve or sharing insights to help us improve, Joseph is committed to ensuring we always put our best foot forward. And his decision to give back is just one more way he helps move our mission forward.

Outside the world of grant deadlines and meetings, Joseph enjoys the simple things like a delicious stop at McDonald's for a vanilla iced coffee and two hashbrowns for breakfast. But he does like to think about what it would be like to have an unlimited supply of lottery tickets (because one of them is bound to be a winner).

Thank you, Joseph, for everything you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we appreciate the dedication of team members like Joshua Reyna, our Food Services Manager, who has been helping us deliver More Than A Meal for 15 years and truly embodies our mission!

It's said that food brings a community together, and Josh is at the heart of our mission to do exactly that. Every weekday, he is in our kitchen crafting nutritious meals for our clients to enjoy. Knowing that the meals he is making make a difference in the lives of our clients daily is actually his favorite part of working at Meals on Wheels San Antonio.

When Joshua isn't in the kitchen, he's all about good food and fun, whether that's at Coushatta Casino or MK Davis enjoying their fried chicken.

Thank you, Joshua, for everything you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we appreciate the dedication of team members like Melissa Cushman, a Client Support Specialist who has been helping us deliver More Than A Meal for 4 years and truly embodies our mission!

Melissa's mother was a recipient of Meals on Wheels, and she saw its impact, especially the driver's impact: "The drivers make a great impact on the clients every time they deliver, whether they think so or not. The clients get to know the driver and are happy when they see them every day when they take their meals to them." And just as clients get to know their drivers, Melissa's favorite part of working at Meals on Wheels is getting to know our clients and listening to their stories and past experiences. 💙

Thank you, Melissa, for everything you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we appreciate the dedication of team members like Daniel Garcia, our Client Services Coordinator Manager, who has been helping us deliver More Than A Meal for 5 years and truly embodies our mission! Daniel gives back because he sees the impact Meals on Wheels has on our clients. Knowing that his efforts help continue our work drives him to do more. 💙

One of Daniel's favorite places he has visited was Washington, D.C., because of the rich history and energy there. If they could have an unlimited supply of anything, it would be time—something we all wish we had more of. And when it comes to breakfast, there is no better way to start his day than with breakfast tacos!

Thank you, Daniel, for everything you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we appreciate the dedication of team members like Charles Lee, a Facilities Specialist who has been helping us deliver More Than A Meal for almost a year and truly embodies our mission!

Mr. Charles' mother was a recipient of Meals on Wheels back in Louisiana, and that's where he began to see the impact of our mission. When the opportunity to work for Meals on Wheels San Antonio came up, he felt it was meant to be. When he comes to work, he is sure to give a friendly greeting and he loves how friendly our staff is.

If you meet Mr. Charles, you can expect a lively conversation that'll make you smile. If you really want to get a conversation going, feel free to talk about all things food! He loves some good BBQ and could eat it for the rest of his life if he had to, so share your favorite local places.

Thank you, Mr. Charles, for everything you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we appreciate the dedication of team members like Adrian Espinoza, our Marketing and Communications Specialist who has been delivering More Than A Meal for going on 3 years and truly embodies our mission!

Adrian believes that "every individual deserves a meal and companionship to look forward to," which is why he gives back to Meals on Wheels San Antonio. What he loves most about working here is the strong sense of teamwork across all departments, reflecting our commitment to both our clients and the community.

When Adrian isn't using his creative talents to help communicate our mission here at Meals on Wheels, you can probably find him at a record store. He loves to collect vinyl and has 252 records, to be exact. He also loves to explore quaint towns, like the Scranton-Old Forge area that he visited this past Fall.

Thank you, Adrian, for everything you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we appreciate the dedication of team members like Jo Lewis, a Client Services Coordinator who has been delivering More Than A Meal for 4 months and truly embodies our mission!

For Jo, working with the community and having a direct impact on our clients' lives is one of the reasons she loves her job. One of the wonderful moments of her job is after visiting with a client and hearing, "You have really helped me today." Interactions like that remind her of the difference she makes by giving back to Meals on Wheels.

Outside of Meals on Wheels, Jo enjoys watercolor painting—a hobby she has been honing for the past two years. One of her favorite places she's visited is Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, a spot she thinks would be perfect for an animal refuge bed and breakfast. And if she could have an unlimited supply of anything, it would be land to create a safe haven for dogs, horses, donkeys, and goats!

Thank you, Jo, for everything you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we appreciate the dedication of team members like Harmony Oh, a Client Services Coordinator who has been delivering More Than A Meal for 7 months and truly embodies our mission!

For Harmony, the most rewarding part of working at Meals on Wheels is being part of a communicative team and seeing the joy on our clients' faces. Moments like those make her work so meaningful, and that is why she chooses to give back and support her neighbors.

When Harmony isn't serving our clients, she would love to learn architecture or interior design. She enjoys drawing house layouts that inspire her future dream home that she'd love to build. One of her favorite travel memories is visiting Banff, Canada, where the scenery was breathtaking. And if she could have an unlimited supply of one thing, it would be food!

Thank you, Harmony, for everything you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we deeply appreciate the dedication of team members like Rachel Bautista, Client Services Coordinator, who has been delivering More Than A Meal for almost a year and truly embodies our mission! Rachel's passion for helping others, shown through their work, is why she gives back to Meals on Wheels.

When Rachel isn't helping our clients, she enjoys going to the movies. As a proud cat parent, she dreams of an unlimited supply of cat food to keep her feline friends happy. And when it comes to a food she could eat for the rest of her life, she's all about mini asada tacos, so ask her about her favorite taco spot!

Thank you, Rachel, for everything you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we deeply appreciate the dedication of team members like Jackie Rodriguez, Lead Client Support Specialist, who has been delivering More Than A Meal for a little over five years and truly embodies our mission! Since she started working here, she has witnessed how everybody in our organization believes in our mission and goes above and beyond for our clients, and that is why she chooses to give back! Making a difference in the lives of our clients is actually her favorite part about working at Meals on Wheels San Antonio.

When Jackie isn't supporting our clients, she dreams of picking up gardening and hopes to cultivate a green thumb one day. Who knows, maybe she'll learn how to grow strawberries to go with her favorite breakfast meal: waffles topped with strawberry syrup!

Thank you, Jackie, for everything you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we deeply appreciate the dedication of team members like Miguel Quintero, a driver who has been delivering More Than A Meal for almost 6 months, truly embodying our mission! Miguel chooses to give back to our organization because of our caring mission to nourish lives, enable independence, and care for our seniors. The best part of the job for Miguel is seeing the clients and experiencing the appreciation they show every time meals are delivered — a reminder of the meaningful impact we have on our community. 

When it comes to meals, Miguel would be perfectly content with a plate of rice and salmon every day for the rest of his life. And when it's time for breakfast, you can bet that eggs are always his go-to!

Thank you, Miguel, for everything you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we deeply appreciate the dedication of team members like Sarah Kazen, our Donor Relations Supervisor, who has been delivering more than just a meal for nearly two years, truly embodying our mission!

In her role, Sarah witnesses firsthand the impact of our services, which inspires her to give back to support our senior and disabled clients. She also finds joy in working at Meals on Wheels, thanks to her wonderful coworkers.

Outside of work, Sarah loves playing and coaching tennis! If you're looking to serve up some tennis talk, she's always ready to rally. A perfect way to start her day would be enjoying her grandma's chorizo con papa for breakfast. Her favorite place she's traveled to is Greece, where she cherishes the memories of her visit.

Thank you, Sarah, for everything you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we deeply appreciate the dedication of team members like Alvaro Jose Teran, a Food Service Cook who has been delivering more than a meal for almost a year and truly embodies our mission!

As a Food Service Cook, Alvaro ensures our clients receive delicious and nutritious meals daily. Cooking for our over 4,000+ clients is his favorite part of the job, as he's able to learn how to cook on a large scale. He said the reason he gives back to Meals on Wheels is that "this job has given me an opportunity to better myself, so in a way, this is me saying 'Thank You.'" That same desire to keep learning and bettering himself also extends to his hobbies, as he's curious to learn how to 3D print.

Thank you, Alvaro, for all you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we deeply appreciate the dedication of team members like Andrea Mendoza, a Client Services Coordinator who has been delivering more than a meal for almost two years and truly embodies our mission!

As a Client Services Coordinator, Andrea meets with new and existing clients to discuss Meals on Wheels services and check in with current clients. However, her favorite part of her job is listening to our clients' stories. Andrea loves visiting with clients, which motivates her to give back to the organization to help those in need.

You might not know this, but her favorite place she has visited is El Salvador, where she visited the San Salvador Volcanoes.

We're lucky to have Andrea on our team and happy to name her Philanthropist of the Month. Thank you, Andrea, for all you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!
 

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we deeply appreciate the dedication of team members like Arturo Ramos, a Driver who has been delivering more than a meal for four years, truly embodying our mission!

As a Driver, Arturo delivers nutritious meals for thousands of older and disabled neighbors daily to enjoy with friends at their local City of San Antonio Senior Centers! 

Arturo gives back to the organization because he just wants to help in any way he can. He likes working at Meals on Wheels because he likes helping the community and enjoys the camaraderie of his team!

As a Driver, timing is essential, so it's no surprise that Arturo enjoys playing the drums. 

Arturo loves the beach, and if he could have an unlimited supply of anything, he would spend more time there. If you want to bring him breakfast, you should get the best barbacoa you can find because it's his favorite! 

Thank you, Arturo, for all you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we acknowledge team members who donate to the mission! Anna Wimberley, our Corporate Engagement & Events Coordinator, has enjoyed her time with Meals on Wheels for two and a half years.

As our dedicated Corporate Engagement & Events Coordinator, Anna has fostered strong relationships with our community partners. Her efforts have led to the successful hosting of numerous events that have significantly advanced our mission.

Anna is inspired to give back to Meals on Wheels San Antonio as her grandparents were once fed through a Meals on Wheels program in another city, enabling them to remain in their home. Now, she's honored to be part of the team that does the same for older adults in our community. Her daily work is a testament to her dedication and the impact she's making beyond just delivering meals!

To continue this excellent job, you'll often see Anna with her trusty cup of coffee! Not only is it her favorite breakfast food (she told us it still counts!), but it's also the one thing she would love to have an unlimited supply of... cream and sugar, please! 

Thank you, Anna, for your unwavering dedication and the significant contributions you make to Meals on Wheels and our clients every day!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we acknowledge team members who donate to the mission! Robert Fabela, a Food Service Cook, has enjoyed his time with Meals on Wheels since joining the team about a year ago.

As a Food Service Cook, Robert ensures our clients receive delicious and nutritious meals daily.

Robert gives back to the organization because he knows what Meals on Wheels does for others is important, and he likes being a part of that. He likes working with everyone and really appreciates being here.

Not surprisingly, Robert makes pasta from scratch for his famous Shrimp Alfredo! What might surprise you is that he likes to draw and if you want to get on his good side, you should bring him a breakfast sandwich. They are one of his favorite things to eat!

Thank you, Robert, for all you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we acknowledge team members who donate to the mission! Our Accounts Payable Accountant, Kaitlynn Hargrove, has enjoyed her time with Meals on Wheels since April 2022!

As our Accounts Payable Accountant, Kaitlynn's primary responsibility is to ensure all amounts due to vendors or suppliers for goods or services received are paid. We know we can always count on Kaitlynn!

She gives back to the organization because "it has always been instilled in me to give back whenever possible." She says, "My great-grandmother would volunteer once a week until she was in her late 80s, and it has always been a thing to help each other and others in our family." Thank you, Kaitlynn, for all you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

You might not know this, but some of Kaitlynn's biggest hobbies are reading (she owns over 400 books), making pottery, and embroidering! We're lucky to have Kaitlynn on our team and happy to name her the March Philanthropist of the Month!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we acknowledge team members who donate to the mission! Alexis Forbes, one of our Community Engagement Onboarding and Experience Specialists, has enjoyed her time with Meals on Wheels since May 2022!

As part of the Community Engagement team, Alexis's primary responsibility includes recruiting and working with volunteers to ensure they have a positive and impactful experience with Meals on Wheels. Alexis says her favorite part of the job is "overseeing the AniMeals volunteers who assist our clients' furry friends."

She enjoys working with the Meals on Wheels team. She gives back to the organization because "it's another way to make an impact on the lives of seniors by ensuring they receive nutritious meals and companionship." Thank you, Alexis, for all you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

You might not know this, but one of Alexis's biggest hobbies is reading! So, if you have any good book recommendations, let her know. We're lucky to have Alexis on our team and happy to name her Philanthropist of the Month!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we acknowledge team members who donate to the mission! Martin Sandoval, one of our Drivers, has enjoyed his time with Meals on Wheels since August 2022!

As a Driver, Martins's primary responsibility is ensuring our clients receive their meals, a friendly visit, and a safety check. Martin says his favorite part of the job is "helping those in need." You might see him on the road delivering more than a meal to our older and disabled neighbors!

He enjoys working with the Meals on Wheels team and gives back to the organization because he "wants to help those in the community that need help the most." Thank you, Martin, for all you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

You might not know this, but one of Matin's biggest hobbies is fishing! If you know a good spot, be sure to let him know. We're lucky to have Martin on our team and happy to name him Philanthropist of the Month!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we acknowledge team members who donate to the mission! Swade West, our Marketing and Communications Specialist, has enjoyed his time with Meals on Wheels since April 2022!

As our Marketing and Communications Specialist, Swade's primary responsibilities are monitoring and updating the official Meals on Wheels San Antonio website and designing and ordering all the Meals on Wheels branded signage and items we use in the office and at events!

He enjoys working with the Meals on Wheels team and gives back to the organization "to help support those in need." He adds, "I'd like to think that if one of my loved ones needed this service, they would be taken care of." Thank you, Swade, for all you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

You might not know this, but one of Swade's biggest hobbies is training for and competing in strongman competitions across the state! We're lucky to have Swade on our team and happy to name him Philanthropist of the Month!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we acknowledge team members who donate to the mission! One of our Client Service Coordinators, Tabitha Martinez, is one such member and has been enjoying her time with Meals on Wheels since January 2021!

As a Client Service Coordinator, Tabitha's primary responsibility is meeting with new and existing clients, learning their stories, and determining service eligibility. Her work allows Meals on Wheels to help identify and serve our older and disabled neighbors more than a meal!

She enjoys working with the Meals on Wheels team and gives back to the organization because "I know that for many people, our one meal a day makes a world of difference." She adds that "giving back to Meals on Wheels allows me to help others who may not have any help otherwise." 
Thank you, Tabitha, for all you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

You might not know this, but one of Tabitha's biggest hobbies is traveling, seeing new places, and meeting new people, so if you know a fun place to visit, be sure to let her know! We're lucky to have Tabitha on our team and happy to name her Philanthropist of the Month!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we acknowledge team members who donate to the mission! Our Data Entry Specialist II, Marcy Carreon, is one such member and has been enjoying her time with Meals on Wheels since 2017!

As our Data Entry Specialist II, Marcy's primary responsibility is entering, updating, and managing data in our donor systems and databases for the Donor Relations team. She is crucial in maintaining accurate and organized information within the organization!

She enjoys working with the Meals on Wheels team and gives back to the organization because "I love knowing I'm helping make a difference...the elderly have always held a special place in my heart." Thank you, Marcy, for all you do for Meals on Wheels, our donors, and our clients!

You might not know this, but Marcy enjoys a delicious Breakfast Omelet, so if you know a good spot, let her know! We're lucky to have Marcy on our team and happy to name her Philanthropist of the Month!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we acknowledge team members who donate to the mission! Our Custodian, Joe Gloria, has enjoyed his time with Meals on Wheels since 2021!

As our Custodian, Joe's primary responsibility is keeping the new Meals on Wheels San Antonio Campus of Grace clean and orderly. These duties include performing routine maintenance, deep cleaning, gathering and emptying trash, sweeping, mopping, scrubbing, and vacuuming floors.

He loves working with the Meals on Wheels team and says his favorite part of the job is "helping my coworkers!" Joe gives back to Meals on Wheels San Antonio because of "my gratitude and appreciation for what the organization does for the employees and the clients." Thank you, Joe, for all you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

You might not know this, but Joe is an avid fisherman and enjoys taking time to go fishing with his family. If you know a good spot, let him know! We're lucky to have Joe on our team and happy to name him Philanthropist of the Month!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we acknowledge team members who donate to the mission! Paula Rodriguez, our People Specialist Manager, has enjoyed her time with Meals on Wheels since December 2020!

As People Specialist Manager, Paula's primary responsibility is recruiting for available positions, onboarding new hires, and helping oversee our People Specialists team. She loves working with the Meals on Wheels team and says her favorite part of the job is "being able to help people." We love working with Paula and are happy to have her on the team!

Paula gives back to Meals on Wheels San Antonio because "my grandmother used to receive meals from Meals on Wheels, and it really helped out our family, and I just want to be able to give back and help someone else family." Thank you, Paula, for all you do for Meals on Wheels and our clients!

You might not know this, but Paula has a knack for learning and remembering random facts, and if she had an unlimited supply of anything, it would be lipstick! We're lucky to have Paula on our team and happy to name her Philanthropist of the Month!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we acknowledge team members who donate to the mission! Jeannette Daniel, one of our Community Engagement Onboarding and Experience Specialists, has enjoyed her time with Meals on Wheels since September 2022!

As part of the Community Engagement team, Jeannette's primary responsibility is focusing on the volunteer onboarding experience. She says her favorite part of the job is "seeing all the volunteers coming together to provide more than a meal to our older and disabled neighbors." You might see Jeannette at your next volunteer orientation!

Jeannette gives back to Meals on Wheels San Antonio because she "loves the community and the mission of promoting the dignity and independence of seniors who need nutritious meals, companionship, and Alzheimer's care." Thank you, Jeannette, for all you do for our volunteers and clients!

You might not know this, but Jeannette is an avid reader and enjoys reading True crime/nonfiction books, and if she had an unlimited supply of anything, it would be Reese's peanut butter cups! We're lucky to have Jeannette on our team and happy to name her Philanthropist of the Month!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we acknowledge team members who donate to the mission. Gabe Montana, one of our Drivers, has enjoyed his time with Meals on Wheels since December 2019!

As a Driver, Gabe's primary responsibility is ensuring our clients receive their meals, a friendly visit, and a safety check. Gabe says his favorite part of the job is "seeing my clients every day." You might see him on the road delivering more than a meal to our older and disabled neighbors!

Gabe gives back to Meals on Wheels San Antonio because "I want to do my part, but also I see the need every time I go out on my route. I give willingly with a cheerful heart." Thank you, Gabe, for all you do for our clients!

You might not know this, but Gabe is a Navy Veteran who loves God and his family and is an avid Spurs and Cowboys fan! His favorite breakfast food is chilaquiles tacos. If Gabe had an unlimited supply of anything, it would be time with his family! We're lucky to have Gabe on our team and happy to name her Philanthropist of the Month!

At Meals on Wheels San Antonio, we acknowledge team members who donate to the mission. Cynthia Thomas, one of our Community Outreach Coordinators, has enjoyed her time with Meals on Wheels since November 2021!

As one of our Community Outreach Coordinators, her responsibilities include strategizing ways to retain/recognize current volunteers, recruit new volunteers, and reengage volunteers who took a break during the pandemic. You might find her at one of our pick-up sites helping new volunteers!

Cynthia gives back to Meals on Wheels San Antonio because "I believe in our organization's mission to keep our seniors safe and healthy in their homes." 

Cynthia plays indoor and sand volleyball in her free time when she is not in the office, and a fun fact about her is that she loves to travel! If she had an unlimited supply of anything, it would be access to free airline flights!

We're lucky to have Cynthia on our team and happy to name her Philanthropist of the Month!

Lyric Mitchell, one of our Client Service Coordinators, has enjoyed her time with Meals on Wheels since January 2022! As one of our Client Service Coordinators, her responsibilities include speaking and meeting with clients to discuss Meals on Wheels services, follow-ups, and check-in with current clients. Lyric is sometimes the first person the client will talk to and, in some cases, the only person the client will speak to for that day. Lyric loves interacting with our clients! Her favorite part of her job is "hearing their stories." She supports our mission because "knowing I'm making a difference in their lives brings me joy. “You can find Lyric painting and coloring in her free time using different art mediums, hanging out with her puppy, and living life to the fullest! We're lucky to have Lyric on our team and happy to name her Philanthropist of the Month.

Daniel Zamudio, one of our drivers, has enjoyed his time with Meals on Wheels since December 2021! As Driver I, his responsibilities include packing and delivering nutritious meals to our older and disabled neighbors. He does not see this as a job but a "unique experience to meet and deliver meals to the seniors." You might now know this, but Daniel is a photographer and enjoys going out to eat, explore, and experience new places! He is also an avid lover of french toast for breakfast. Daniel chooses to give back to our mission because he "sees firsthand how the meals benefit the seniors, and he wants to do his part to give back to the community." We're lucky to have Daniel on our team and happy to name him Philanthropist of the Month.

Cynthia Hernandez, our Payroll Accountant, has been enjoying her time with Meals on Wheels since September 2021! As Payroll Accountant, her responsibilities include ensuring payroll is accurate and processed on time. You might now know that Cynthia is a mother of three, has two grandchildren, and is recently married! She is also a singer and has been singing at church since she was young. Cynthia chooses to give back to our mission because she "loves helping people, and giving to Meals on Wheels allows me to give back to the seniors in our community who need a meal and social interaction." We're lucky to have Cynthia as part of our team and happy to name her Philanthropist of the Month. 

Rebecca Retana, one of our Care Coordinators, has been enjoying her time with Meals on Wheels since May 2020! Rebecca is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys camping and hiking! If you know Rebecca, you know she loves a good breakfast taco and coffee combo. She hopes to learn French or Arabic in the coming years! We're lucky to have Rebecca on our team and happy to name her Philanthropist of the Month.