September is  National Senior Center Month, and it gives us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate older adults and to reflect on the many ways that connection, community, and caring for one another contribute to healthy aging.

When we discuss the health of older adults, we often talk about nutrition and medical care, but there is an equally critical factor that frequently goes overlooked: transportation.

Sister Alice Marie (SAM) knew she could not feed Los Angeles alone. Back in 1996, when she looked out at the rising number of isolated seniors in our city, she called upon her "village of angels" to lace up their sneakers and hit the road.

We of say that our delivery drivers deliver more than just a meal; they deliver a vital human connection. But just how is important is that connection? According to health experts, it is a matter of life and death.

Dear Friends, every day at St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, I have the privilege of witnessing something extraordinary. I see angels among us.

When we say we deliver nourishment to the body, mind, and spirit, it all begins right here in our kitchen. Recently, our team tackled a massive, mouth-watering project that truly highlights the dedication behind every meal we serve: handcrafted meatballs. And we are not just talking about any meatballs. These are giant, tennis-sized meatballs!

When we think about nourishing our homebound seniors, we look at the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. Part of that holistic approach involves encouraging an active lifestyle that goes far beyond physical exercise.

Welcome to the second edition of our new weekly newsletter, Beyond the Meal. We hope you had a chance to read our very first issue last week, on July 7, in which we joyfully celebrated our 49th anniversary and reflected on our enduring legacy of compassionate care.

Forty-nine years ago, Sister Alice Marie Quinn, D.C., together with a small group of dedicated volunteers, began a simple but profound mission: to provide nutritious meals to seniors and vulnerable adults in our community.

On a warm evening in 1977, a humble Daughter of Charity stood in a local church kitchen with nothing but a few large pots of stew and an unshakeable conviction. Her name was Sister Alice Marie Quinn.