12/12/2025
Meals on Wheels of Odessa CALLS FOR DONATIONS THIS GIVING SEASOn TO ENSURE NO SENIOR IN odessa IS LEFT HUNGRY AND ALONE DURING THE HOLIDAYS
A new video about the silence too many seniors are forced to endure – during the holiday season and beyond – illustrates why donations are so important, particularly in the current environment
Odessa, TX – December 8, 2025 – For millions of older adults, the holidays bring more silence than celebration. One in two seniors living alone can’t afford basic needs, forcing impossible choices between paying for food or heating their homes. Inclement winter weather further isolates homebound seniors, increasing loneliness and the risk of malnutrition. That’s why Meals on Wheels of Odessa is asking Odessa to End the Wait™ and remember our most vulnerable seniors on Giving Tuesday, as well as all throughout the season of giving, by donating to MOWO.
Meals on Wheels is best known for delivering nutritious meals to older adults who are unable to shop for or prepare meals themselves. However, the meal itself opens the door to a friendly visit, a health and safety check and social connection. That’s why MOWO is leveraging a new campaign created by Meals on Wheels America that illuminates how the holidays often intensify the loneliness many older adults feel year-round, turning what should be a joyful season into a painful reminder of isolation. Inspired by the holiday classic, “Silent Night,” the video showcases how many homebound seniors experience not only silent nights, but silent weeks, months and even years. For some, their only moments of connection come from Meals on Wheels volunteers. This is especially prudent as this year’s holiday season comes at a time when there are over 160 older Odessans waiting for a knock from a dedicated MOWO volunteer.
Craig Stoker, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Odessa said, “I am grateful that we have been able to expand our service area and routes, but due to an increase in people calling to get on service we have had to start a waiting list because we do not have the volunteer capacity to serve everyone. It has been especially difficult this year with extreme prices at the grocery store for our clients, most of whom live on a fixed income. I want to assure those who are waiting for a knock, that we are processing the list as quickly as possible, and a wonderful MOWO volunteer will be there soon!”
For more information on how you can volunteer, contribute or donate for the seniors in Odessa, go to www.mowo.org, or give us a call – 432-333-6451.
Meals on Wheels of Odessa serves over 700 homebound seniors and disabled clients a nutritious meal five days a week and supplemental meals on the weekends. Operating since 1977, Meals on Wheels of Odessa is one of the oldest hunger relief agencies in the Permian Basin. www.mowo.org
About Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. Powered by a trusted volunteer workforce, this network delivers a comprehensive solution that begins with a meal and is proven to enable independence and well-being through the additional benefits of tailored nutrition, social connection, safety and much more. By providing funding, programming, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, or to find a Meals on Wheels provider near you, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
WELCOME TO MOWO Meals on Wheels of Odessa enables people to live with dignity by offering community support and sustenance through coordinated services. 165,547 Meals served* Meals on Wheels of Odessa (MOWO) provides a noon-time meal each weekday to clients who have completed our intake and qualifie...
