More Than a Meal: Sligo Rotary’s 50-Year Commitment to Meals on Wheels

For more than half a century, Sligo Rotary volunteers have been delivering more than meals—they have been delivering friendship, companionship and a vital connection to the community.

The partnership with Meals on Wheels dates back to 1969, when Sligo Social Services, now Cornerstone, was established. Sligo Rotary played an important role in helping to establish the service, recognising the importance of supporting older and vulnerable people to remain living independently in their own homes.

Since then, generations of Sligo Rotarians have given their time as volunteer drivers. For those receiving Meals on Wheels, the visit can mean far more than a nutritious meal. A familiar face at the door, a friendly greeting and a few moments of conversation can make a real difference, particularly for people who live alone or have limited social contact.

Today, Cornerstone prepares the meals, which are delivered throughout the community by staff and volunteers. While the service has evolved to meet changing needs, its core values of dignity, care and independence remain unchanged.

For Sligo Rotary, this longstanding commitment reflects the Rotary motto “Service Above Self” and its belief in making a practical difference in the local community.

As the need for support continues, volunteers remain at the heart of keeping Meals on Wheels moving.

More than 50 years after those first deliveries, the message remains as relevant as ever: a meal delivered with care, a friendly face at the door, and a community looking after its own.