Customer Feature: Meals on Wheels Western Michigan — More Than a Meal
Some customer relationships feel especially meaningful because they connect back to the values you grew up with.
For the Gutowski family, volunteering was part of that.
Growing up, my siblings and I spent some of our free weekends volunteering together helping package meals for people in need. I have really fond memories of doing that as a family. At the time, I probably thought we were simply helping prepare food, but looking back, I realize we were learning something much bigger about service, community and showing up for people.
That is part of why the mission of Meals on Wheels Western Michigan resonates so strongly with us today.
Meals on Wheels Western Michigan began in 1984 as Senior Meals Program, Inc., serving 975 older adults in Kent County through home-delivered meals and community dining sites. Today, the organization serves more than 6,000 seniors each year throughout Kent and Allegan counties.
In 2000, the organization expanded again by opening a senior pantry, one of the first food pantries in Kent County designed around a shopping experience. Rather than receiving a pre-packed box, seniors are able to choose the foods that best fit their needs and preferences, helping preserve dignity and independence.
At the heart of it all is a simple belief: no senior should be hungry or forgotten.
And what Meals on Wheels delivers goes far beyond food.
Home-delivered meals provide nutrition, a friendly visit and an important well-being check. For some seniors, that delivery driver may be one of the only people they see during the week. That connection can mean the world to someone experiencing isolation, while also providing peace of mind to family members and caregivers.
Meals on Wheels Western Michigan currently offers three primary services: home-delivered meals, a senior pantry with fresh produce, meat, dairy, pantry staples and other essentials, and community dining sites where older adults can enjoy nutritious meals while building friendships and staying connected.
Whether helping someone recover after a hospital stay, remain safely in their own home or simply feel less alone, Meals on Wheels Western Michigan continues to deliver much more than food.
Printing With a Little Extra Meaning
When we heard that Mark Secchia, from SILVA, would be honored at this year’s Chef’s Specialty event, naturally, we wanted to join in on the fun.
Swift Printing produced the event’s 5x7 fold-over invitation, 4.25x5.5 RSVP card, A7 outer envelope with variable addressing, A2 reply envelope and mail preparation.
The fall color palette paired beautifully with Lynx cover stock and Cougar envelopes. Honestly, what’s not to love?
It was one of those projects where the finished piece matched the event perfectly: warm, polished and inviting.
Chef’s Specialty Returns October 7
The 12th Annual Chef’s Specialty takes place Wednesday, October 7, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at The Goei Center, 818 Butterworth St. SW in Grand Rapids.
The event honors entrepreneur and hospitality leader Mark Secchia and brings together local chefs, sponsors and supporters to raise funds for Meals on Wheels Western Michigan.
This year’s Presenting Sponsor is Green Frog Stills + Motion.
Executive Chef Sponsors include AF Group, LMCU and Varnum.
Sous Chef Sponsors include Doyle & Ogden, Fusion IT, Millennia, Kathryn Chaplow Interior Design, Meijer, Members First, Progressive Companies, RoMan Manufacturing, Scott & Natalie Bernecker and SIBSCO.
Deputy Chef Sponsors include Brio Living Services, Gordon Food Service, Grand River Bank, Gun Lake Casino Resort, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Oliver Packaging & Equipment, Plante Moran, Russo Restaurant and Market, Swift Printing and Yesterdog.
The Honorary Committee includes Jessica Gutowski-Slaydon, Johnny Brann, Joan Secchia, Kathryn Chaplow, Pat & Lisa Connor, Patricia Duthie, Rosalynn Bliss, Ryan Anderson, Scott & Natalie Bernecker, Shawn Kohlhaas, Stephanie & Greg Russo and Steve Tibbe.
For our family, this project still feels personal.
We grew up learning that feeding people and serving your community matters. Now, years later, Swift gets to support an organization carrying out that same spirit of service for thousands of older adults across West Michigan.
That makes this project more than just another print job for us.
It is a reminder that the values you grow up with have a way of following you into the work you do.
Learn more about Meals on Wheels Western Michigan:
https://mealsonwheelswesternmichigan.org/
Chef’s Specialty event details and tickets:
https://mealsonwheelswesternmichigan.org/chefs-specialty/
