Date: September 26, 2022
Attendance/Split Club/Fine Master: Phil Michalowski
Invocation: Gary Roberts
The Ken: Sue Jandzinski
We opened the meeting with the Pledge and Invocation from Gary Roberts. Our guest today was Jessica
Nowak the Executive Director of Ken-Ton Meals on Wheels.
Rolling out our new meeting/luncheon format, Larry Coon introduced Jessica and welcomed her to the
meeting.
Jess has been the ED at K/T MOW www.kentonmealsonwheels.org since January 2022, and prior to that
served as the Assistant ED at the organization. Meals on Wheels was founded in 1977 by Helen Lapp, with
the idea of a home delivery meal program. A miss conception of the organization is that it only serves
elderly/home bound individuals. That is not the case. Anyone can sign up to receive this service, they
simply need to be home to accept the delivery.
Currently, K/T MOW has 250 volunteers that prepare, assemble, pack and deliver on average 3700
hot/cold meals a week. There are approximately 600 clients whom are responsible for paying a portion
[80-85%] of the cost of their pre-ordered meals. Jess mentioned they are always in need of “on call”
volunteers, typically needed during peak vacation season. The organization depends on donations to
offset the high cost of food, equipment etc. They do partner with other MOW programs throughout the
area to secure the lowest price for food/goods.
The average hot meal costs $5.25/cold meal - $2.55. They would like to branch out and purchase a food
truck but there are a few obstacles at this point – mainly finding staff to support this initiative. Jess is
also working on changing up the 13 week/rotation menu to accommodate dietary restrictions. Jess shared
that on an annual basis, Ken Ton Meals on Wheels prepared and deployed over 110,000 meals last year.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Cam reported that the first annual Ken-Toberfest is now in the books – the event did well – Holly and Cam
reported that there will be a re-cap meeting later this week to review what worked and what didn’t. A
thunderous applause to Cam and the committee for a successful inaugural event!
Shred-it is scheduled for October 15, 2022/ 10am-2pm @ the Kenmore Commons. Patrick brought a few
signs for members to take.
CANCELLED – [from last week’s KEN] Patrick and Larry Coon will confirm the date for a joint cleanup day
at Isle View Park. Kenmore Rotary/Satellite club. – Rumor has it; Patrick will be a baby ice cream cone for
any Rotarians that volunteer!
Liquor Tasting is scheduled for October 12 th at Park CC. More information to come.
Chuck won the Split Club - $14 and Larry Coon picked the 5 of Spades.
Phil challenged us to some Octoberfest trivia and again, got those not wearing pins for $1 - $47 in fines
today! Great job Phil!
Respectfully submitted:
Sue Jandzinski
Attendance/Split Club/Fine Master: Phil Michalowski
Invocation: Gary Roberts
The Ken: Sue Jandzinski
We opened the meeting with the Pledge and Invocation from Gary Roberts. Our guest today was Jessica
Nowak the Executive Director of Ken-Ton Meals on Wheels.
Rolling out our new meeting/luncheon format, Larry Coon introduced Jessica and welcomed her to the
meeting.
Jess has been the ED at K/T MOW www.kentonmealsonwheels.org since January 2022, and prior to that
served as the Assistant ED at the organization. Meals on Wheels was founded in 1977 by Helen Lapp, with
the idea of a home delivery meal program. A miss conception of the organization is that it only serves
elderly/home bound individuals. That is not the case. Anyone can sign up to receive this service, they
simply need to be home to accept the delivery.
Currently, K/T MOW has 250 volunteers that prepare, assemble, pack and deliver on average 3700
hot/cold meals a week. There are approximately 600 clients whom are responsible for paying a portion
[80-85%] of the cost of their pre-ordered meals. Jess mentioned they are always in need of “on call”
volunteers, typically needed during peak vacation season. The organization depends on donations to
offset the high cost of food, equipment etc. They do partner with other MOW programs throughout the
area to secure the lowest price for food/goods.
The average hot meal costs $5.25/cold meal - $2.55. They would like to branch out and purchase a food
truck but there are a few obstacles at this point – mainly finding staff to support this initiative. Jess is
also working on changing up the 13 week/rotation menu to accommodate dietary restrictions. Jess shared
that on an annual basis, Ken Ton Meals on Wheels prepared and deployed over 110,000 meals last year.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Cam reported that the first annual Ken-Toberfest is now in the books – the event did well – Holly and Cam
reported that there will be a re-cap meeting later this week to review what worked and what didn’t. A
thunderous applause to Cam and the committee for a successful inaugural event!
Shred-it is scheduled for October 15, 2022/ 10am-2pm @ the Kenmore Commons. Patrick brought a few
signs for members to take.
CANCELLED – [from last week’s KEN] Patrick and Larry Coon will confirm the date for a joint cleanup day
at Isle View Park. Kenmore Rotary/Satellite club. – Rumor has it; Patrick will be a baby ice cream cone for
any Rotarians that volunteer!
Liquor Tasting is scheduled for October 12 th at Park CC. More information to come.
Chuck won the Split Club - $14 and Larry Coon picked the 5 of Spades.
Phil challenged us to some Octoberfest trivia and again, got those not wearing pins for $1 - $47 in fines
today! Great job Phil!
Respectfully submitted:
Sue Jandzinski