Meals on Wheels delivers comfort food and holiday cheer

For many people the holidays are about giving back and, helping others. On Christmas Day, volunteers with Meals on Wheels are spent their Christmases making special deliveries to those who are homebound.

House by house, Elizabeth Lopez rounded up food and delivered hot meals to those who are homebound.

“Being that we are blessed, give back at this time of year, and really help people in need,” Lopez, volunteer said.

Volunteers delivered to more than 400 people with the majority of them being elderly, but they're delivered more than just food.

Elizabeth's first stop was 74-year-old Barbara Arthur

“My mom and dad passed away. My dad was 98 my mom was 92. Everybody's passed away,” she said.

Barbara is a longtime Austinite. She has two sons, but only one may visit her for Christmas this year.

“My son goes through phases, my youngest one,” she said.

“It makes me feel sad that her family's not with her, even though she does have family. It's like, I would be there if I had my mom,” Lopez said.

After the violent events of the year, this Christmas, Barbara doesn't want people to lose sight of being kind this season.

“Quit fussing about everything. Quit killing people,” she said.

Back at the distribution center, volunteers continued to round up food for deliveries through the afternoon. Organizers say next week, they will need many more people. For Elizabeth Lopez, nothing can be more rewarding.

“If they don't have any family or anything, the best part is seeing a smile on their face when somebody comes to the door and brings them food and talk with them and visit, she said.

Christmas is not always about the big ticket items in the department stores. Sometimes it's something as simple, as a hot meal, and a little company. To sign-up to help, visit mealsonwheelsandmore.org.