Harry Holiday of Locust Grove began volunteering with Meals on Wheels in Henry County in 2018. He and his wife, Brenda, currently deliver 28 meals per week, over two days time, to seniors through the program.

  A retired Air Force dentist, Harry Holiday said they wanted to do their part to give back to the community.

  “That was the main motivation — to help people,” said Holiday. “It’s just the fact that we can help someone. We like to be a blessing. The Lord has blessed us a whole lot, and we like to pass that along. That’s what we’re called to do.

  “It makes me actually feel good anytime I can serve someone as a man of God,” continued Holiday. “It gives you a good feeling inside. It’s a real blessing to be able to do that. To me, there’s no negative to it. It’s just a positive.”

  Tammy Smith is a program coordinator for Meals on Wheels at Henry County Senior Services. She confirmed that the program is in need of volunteers, and called on local residents to be a part of the endeavor.

  “You can serve as your schedule allows – whether daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly,” said Smith. “Every meal delivered makes a difference.”

  Volunteers deliver meals for the program each Monday through Friday from 10:45 a.m., to 12:45 p.m., to clients in McDonough, Stockbridge, Hampton and Locust Grove. Smith said she is working to ensure that she has enough volunteers to provide food for those who need it.

  “We provide over 1,000 nutritious meals a week to homebound seniors,” said Smith. “Right now we have 157 volunteers. My goal, by the end of the year, is to reach 200 volunteers.” Volunteers can sign up according to their availability to deliver meals in the program, said Smith.

  Meals on Wheels made its first delivery of hot food to a Henry County resident in 1987. Since its inception locally, Smith said, the program has been “a major success.”

  “We’ve kept seniors in their homes by providing hot nutritious meals to seniors who are unable to afford or prepare their own meals,” she said. 

  Smith added that volunteers like Harry and Brenda have been instrumental, over the years, in pitching in to help with the program.

  “This is a great way to volunteer to give back to your community,” she said.

  Brenda Holiday, a licensed minister, also volunteers with United Food Force in McDonough. She said providing food to those in need is an extension of her Christian ministry.

  “If you love people and need something to do, it’s a good way to give  back to people,” she said. “It’s also a way to get out of the house and exercise. There’s a lot of good that comes  out of it.”

  For more information, call Tammy Smith at 770-288-6988.