Tom Kizis Retires After Years Leading Englewood Meals on Wheels

After many years as director of Meals on Wheels in Englewood, Tom Kizis stepped down at the end of the year. He first started volunteering as a cook, after a life-changing experience and a promise to help people in need. His past experience as a caterer and bed & breakfast host made Tom a valuable volunteer when it came to preparing meals. This experience has also served him and Meals on Wheels well during his years as director. Tom would like to express his sincere thanks to all the dedicated volunteers for Englewood Meals on Wheels. Each one of the cooks, helpers and thoughtful, friendly delivery volunteers are a vital link in seeing that meals are prepared and delivered to the approximately 170 clients who receive a hot meal six days a week. These volunteers also have an important social welfare role as contact with the delivery person may be the only interaction meal recipients receive all day. Tom also extends his deep appreciation for all the monetary donations from area clubs, organizations and individuals that make this service possible, and for the food received from local markets such as Publix and surplus food from organizations and church functions. Meals on Wheels does not receive any government funding – its expenses must be met through financial donations from the community. As with meeting other needs that arise in the community, Englewood has been generous in its financial support to Meals on Wheels, allowing clients to only pay $3.50 a day, one of the cheapest Meals on Wheels’ fees in the country! Meals are also provided for those whose financial position doesn’t permit even that amount. The friendships formed working with the wonderful volunteers will be missed but he will remain at the MOW kitchen a while longer as a cook. Stepping into the director’s shoes is another long-time volunteer with MOW, Kathy Macklin, who has been serving as Assistant Director. Kathy looks forward to serving Englewood MOW clients and also expresses her gratitude for the many MOW volunteers who keep the organization running smoothly. If you would like to learn more about this organization as a client, donor or volunteer, call 941•474•4445.