When Tim Dooley joined Merrick Community Services in June 2025, he quickly discovered what many longtime volunteers already knew: the work is about far more than delivering food. It’s about connection, dignity, and showing up for people who often have nowhere else to turn.

One of those people is Jacob.

Jacob lives with a rare and painful medical condition that took years to diagnose. During that time, he was shuffled between programs and systems that didn’t quite fit his situation — a familiar story for many homebound individuals navigating complex health challenges.

Eventually, he found Meals on Wheels.

Tim remembers receiving a message from Jacob apologizing for not being able to pay for the meals he had been receiving. “Here’s someone navigating chronic illness, delays, and uncertainty… and he’s worried about us,” Tim said. “That’s the kind of person Jacob is.”

Although Jacob was denied a county waiver, Merrick’s Meals on Wheels program offers alternative payment options for individuals who cannot afford meals out of pocket. It’s part of the organization’s commitment to ensuring that no one is turned away due to financial hardship.

And sometimes, the support goes beyond meals.

During the holidays, Merrick provides gift bags filled with self-sustaining items for clients. One year, those bags included a pair of soft, grip bottom socks — a small gesture in the minds of Merrick, but a big one in the eyes of Jacob. What happened next is best told in his own words:

“When Christmas arrived, I opened my door one morning to find an extra bag beside my meals—my special Christmas gift from Meals on Wheels. Inside, along with small treats and handwritten notes, was a single pair of incredibly soft socks. It was special because I live with a health condition that made one of my feet exceptionally sensitive to pressure, and I had long searched for a sock that kept my foot warm, cushioned, and free from discomfort. After trying countless pairs, I looked at this one—and I knew, without a doubt, it was a perfect match, exactly what I had been waiting for.

I called Meals on Wheels and spoke with a person named Tim, asking where I could buy these special socks, since I had searched everywhere without luck. Tim promised he would find the information and get back to me. But the following week, another bag arrived with my meals, and when I opened it, I was stunned—inside were more than a dozen of those same socks, more than I could have hoped for.

I felt a wave of excitement—these socks were warm and comforting, and now, with so many of them, I had peace of mind. I knew I could rely on them for a long time, without the constant worry of needing to search or replace them again.

I felt a spark in my heart, and from that place of joy, I decided to write a song—a simple tune to express my gratitude to Meals on Wheels for their boundless generosity. I called Tim and sang the song for him, and after I finished, I asked, “How was it?” Tim’s voice, warm over the phone, replied, “It was good.” And in that moment, I knew that my gratitude, inspired by their generosity, had reached him. I recorded a simple melody for it with my garage band on my iPhone and sent the final mix to Tim”

For Tim, Jacob’s story captures the essence of Meals on Wheels. Yes, the program delivers meals, but it also delivers something more difficult to measure: reassurance, human connection, and moments that remind people they are not alone.

Sometimes, the volunteer at the door is the only person a client sees all day. Sometimes, a small gesture — a pair of socks, a warm greeting, a familiar face — becomes the difference between feeling forgotten and feeling cared for.

Jacob’s story is just one of many. Each one is meaningful. Each one is real.

Each one is a reminder that Meals on Wheels is, at its core, about people — people like Jacob, who continue to show gratitude even in hardship, who find ways to give back, and who remind us why this work matters.

When Marissa Ruff joined Merrick Community Services last summer as a parent educator in the At Home Family Education Program, she immediately felt what so many staff and families describe: the strength of the East Saint Paul community and the deep commitment Merrick brings to supporting families through every stage of life.

One of the first families she met was Briana’s. Their intake appointment happened to fall on Marissa’s birthday—a moment she still remembers fondly, not only because it marked her first official intake, but because she met Briana’s baby, who she endearingly calls “the cutest baby in the world.” That early connection set the tone for a relationship built on trust, consistency, and shared understanding.

Briana once shared with Marissa, “The biggest thing for me was that you guys stayed with me during my move to Minneapolis.” She had worried that relocating to Hennepin County—closer to her personal support system—meant losing access to Merrick’s services, something Marissa was determined to not let happen. This was crucial for Briana when life transitions were piling up: moving, pregnancy, and the daily responsibilities of raising a young child.

That consistency mattered. It meant Briana didn’t have to start over with new providers or navigate unfamiliar systems alone. It meant she had someone walking alongside her, not just during major milestones, but in the everyday moments that shape early parenting.

Through the program, Briana received additional funding and resources that helped ease the daily pressures of raising a child. Sometimes support looks like big things—but often, it’s the basics: diapers, wipes, baby food, stain remover, teethers, books, and again, more diapers and wipes. These essentials quietly lift the weight that many families carry alone.

But the impact goes beyond supplies. It’s in the moments that can’t be measured— encouragement, consistency, first steps, first words. One moment that stayed with Marissa was when Briana told her that her baby knows exactly who she is—not just as a provider, but as someone familiar. That recognition, that relationship, is the heart of Merrick’s work.

Because of donors, partners, and supporters, families like Briana’s aren’t navigating parenting alone. They are seen, supported, and strengthened through programs designed to meet them where they are.

Briana’s story is a reminder of why we do what we do.