We Get as Much as We Give: A Circle of Angels Story

At St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, we see this truth lived out every day — not only by those who receive care, but by those who choose to give it.

For longtime Circle of Angels donors Michelle and Charlie Kirkpatrick, service isn’t an abstract idea. It’s something they’ve woven into their lives, their family, and their understanding of responsibility to others. Their connection to SVMOW grew through hands-on volunteering and deepened through relationships — with the seniors they met, with the Daughters of Charity, and with the staff who carry this mission forward.

What stands out most when you spend time with Charlie and Michelle is not what they’ve given, but how they speak about what they’ve received in return: perspective, gratitude, and a sense of shared purpose. They’ve watched their daughters learn the same lessons — that dignity matters, that showing up matters, and that care is never one-directional.

“We absolutely get as much as we give — and so much more,” they say.

Their story is a reminder that this work is sustained not only by generosity, but by people who find meaning in service — and who help ensure that homebound seniors are cared for, connected, and never forgotten.