DOWNEY — After over 47 years of service, Downey’s Meals on Wheels made its final deliveries last Friday.

According to Carrie Ridley, who served as the office manager, Meals on Wheels has served thousands of clients who have found themselves in need since its start in 1974.

The operation was largely kept going by donations and the work of volunteers.

Unfortunately, in recent years the organization has struggled to maintain a consistent flow of the clientele that it needed to make ends meet.

“From the beginning of this particular chapter of Downey Meals on Wheels, we specified that we needed to have 40 clients per day in order to just pay our bills and be able to break even,” said Ridley. “We’ve not had that for many years. We’ve been coming out of our savings, and it’s been depleting.”

Volunteers and clients alike are sad to see the program go.

“The reaction has been, I guess you could say, quite sad,” said Ridley. “Prior to Covid, we used to go into their homes and sit down and chit chat with them for a minute or two. That was something I thoroughly enjoyed.”

“They just really loved seeing the volunteers and we always tried to have a big old smile on our face. It’s something they count on…They enjoy the food. They need the food. They like the food, and they like us as well. We’ve made many friends through the years. It’s not just about the food, not for us.”

Ridley says it “has been honor to have been able to serve the community,” while encouraging others to lend a helping hand where they can.

“I would like to encourage everyone in every neighborhood to notice their neighbors…Spend some time with them. Let them talk and you will be surprised at what you will learn,” said Ridley. Maybe if you were going to be washing your car on Saturday maybe you could offer to wash theirs as well. You could bring in their trash or pick up their newspapers or water their grass. Maybe they need something from the store.”

“If we all took the time to give the gift of time, think about how much better you will feel and the lessons you will teach your children.”