About Us
We pride ourselves on providing healthy meals that are freshly made. We are proud members of the Buy Fresh Buy Local – Greater Lehigh Valley initiative, supporting the local economy while using seasonal produce when possible.
Better Fresh
We also purchase our produce year-round from 8 area farms through our Better Fresh Project, which began in 2014 with support from United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. The farms that we work with have USDA Good Agricultural Practices Certifications, which verifies that their production and handling practices are in accordance with recommended safety guidelines.
Our Friendly Farmers
Benji Adams Berry Farm
Casa Bianca Farms
Hunter Hill Farm
Primo Produce (via U.S. Foods)
Primordia Mushroom Farm
St. Luke’s Rodale Organic Farm
Scholl Orchards
Twin Maple Farms
Locally Grown
We buy locally grown produce, ensuring that our meals will retain most of their vital nutrients while also supporting our local economy. If you order our home-delivered meals or chef packs, you’ll be eating nutritious and delicious foods grown in your own community.
Our History
While Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley is a new organization, it has nearly a century’s worth of experience providing quality care and services to seniors and adults with disabilities. Our services include grocery shopping, pet food/supply delivery, emergency meals, and more.
Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County’s history dates back to 1970, when a task force of concerned citizens began meeting with Lehigh County Commissioners to address the problem of malnutrition among seniors. On Feb. 1, 1971, 50 volunteers from Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County delivered a hot meal and cold bagged meal to 9 clients on 3 separate routes.
Also in 1971, the Mayor of Bethlehem’s Task Force on Health and Welfare started Meals on Wheels of Northampton County (then called Bethlehem Area) to provide nutritious and well-balanced meals Monday through Friday to seniors, homebound individuals, and adults with disabilities. Under the direction of Board President Dr. Edwin Frey, the Meals on Wheels board and staff began serving meals to 15 clients on Valentine’s Day, 1972.
In the fall of 2016, the Board of Directors from both these organizations began to meet to explore the possibility of a merger. A synergy grant from the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation and the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley fueled this process. After 2 years of collaboration and 3 distinct phases of planning, Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley officially began on Sept. 1, 2018.
Meet The Team
Management
Vicki Coyle
CEO
Year Started with Meals on Wheels: 2018
Years of Experience in Field of Work: 20
What I Like Most About My Job: All the people, whether they are staff, volunteers or clients. This agency brings out the best of humanity in the people who serve and are served. I love learning things about our clients. They are artists, veterans, storytellers, steelworkers, homemakers, and more. “Homebound” applies to their physical status, but doesn’t begin to describe their value or contributions they have made to our communities. Supporting volunteers, developing new programs, and working with other agency partners are keys to enhancing the health and well-being of our clients, and I’m proud to be part of the team.
I’d Like You to Know: I am a strong supporter of “buy fresh, buy local.” You will see me regularly at a weekend farmers’ market or shopping in local Lehigh Valley stores or restaurants. I love supporting this community, whether it is through my work or my spending. When I’m not eating, you can find me walking on local trails, knitting, or engaging in dog sports.
Nick Nonnemacher
Dir. of Food Services
nickn@mowglv.org
Year Started Here: 2013
Years of Experience in My Field: 20
Monica McCandless
Dir. of Client Services
monicam@mowglv.org
Year Started Here: 2002
Years of Experience in My Field: 16
Dawn Stillwagen
Dir. of Volunteer Services (Lehigh Cty)
dawns@mowglv.org
Year Started Here: 2000
Years of Experience in My Field: 25
Keri Young
Dir. of Volunteer Services (Northampton Cty)
kerig@mowglv.org
Year Started Here: 2009
Years of Experience in My Field: 9
Other Staff Positions
Client Services
Dana Kenney, M.S.W. – danak@mowglv.org
Tracey Huffman – traceyh@mowglv.org
Brandy Padilla – brandyp@mowglv.org
Pat Peters – patp@mowglv.org
Jenny Ramirez – jennyr@mowglv.org
LaCrisha Vasquez, M.S.W. – lacrishav@mowglv.org
Development
Jamie Rzeszowski – jamier@mowglv.org
Jim Waters – jimw@mowglv.org
Finance & Administration
Dorothy Mason Bloom – dorothyb@mowglv.org
Susan Gosztonyi – susang@mowglv.org
Janelle Longenbach – jlanellel@mowglv.org
Tracy Snyder – tracys@mowglv.org
Denise Vasquez – Denisev@mowglv.org
Food Services
FOOD SERVICES
Bob Adams – boba@mowglv.org
Volunteer Services
Bethany Gray – bethanyg@mowglv.org
Melinda Mayer – melindam@mowglv.org
Board of Directors
2018-2019
Executive Committee
President – Patricia Schoenen, retired – Schoenen’s Market
Vice President – Michael Santanasto, The Law Office of Michael A. Santanasto, Esq., LLC
Secretary – Elizabeth Laylon, retired – St. Luke’s Hospital
Treasurer – Rosemary Lamaestra, CPA, CFE, RLB Accountants
Past Presidents – Thomas Foote, Jr., retired – Brown-Daub, Inc. (Northampton County); Lisa Luciano, Lafayette Ambassador Bank (Lehigh County)
Members
Jerry Beaver, retired – St. Luke’s Hospital
Patricia Blahnik, Wells Fargo Bank
Ben Eichman, Oaktree Advisors
Carrie Fleckenstein, St. Luke’s Center for Positive Aging
Ed Flowerdew, Boyle Construction, Inc.
Elissa A. Graner, BB&T
Lothar Gumberich, retired – Penn State Berks-Lehigh Valley
Members
Pamela Koons-Hartnett, St. Luke’s Hospital
Kimberly Laurito, American Bank
Rev. Ray Malec, Concordia Lutheran Church
Cindy Merritt, Buckno Lisicky & Co.
David M. Romanelli, CFP, Morgan Stanley
Justin Ryan, Lehigh Valley Industrial Park, Inc.
Donna M. Zimmerman, retired – Lehigh County Office of Aging & Adult Services
What We Do
Think we only provide amazing meals? Think again.
Clients served each day
TOTAL MEALS MADE IN 2018
%
clients are 75 or over
Testimonials
“My husband and I both work, so having Meals on Wheels bring hot meals for my mother daily has been both a time-saver and lifesaver for us. Having meals delivered allows us more quality time with my mother, since prior to Meals on Wheels my time was used to prepare her lunch. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Alison“Meals on Wheels is my life’s blood. Without it, I wouldn’t eat. The meals are healthy and delicious which helps a failing appetite. I can’t imagine life without Meals on Wheels. I so look forever to a friendly, smiling face every morning and the wonderful meals I am lucky enough to get.”
Carol“I greatly appreciate my Meals on Wheels delivery. These meals are heart- and diabetes-friendly. … I also appreciate the grocery delivery service once a week, which saves me lots of hassles and trips to the market. Meals on Wheels saves me time, pain and money. Now that’s something to smile about.”
JefferyLet Us Help You
Thanks for your interest in Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley. We look forward to helping you or your loved ones today.