How Can One Woman’s Delivery Route Become a Lifelong Legacy of Love and Service?
Honoring the Value of Showing Love through Action
For Lisa Thiry, volunteering with Meals on Wheels is more than just delivering food—it’s about sharing warmth, building connections, and honoring a family legacy of service. For the past five years, Lisa has dedicated herself to the Mifflin Red Route, not only delivering meals but also coordinating a team of ten drivers and runners. It’s a role that requires flexibility and perseverance. “Managing the schedule can be tough, especially when volunteers retire and there’s no immediate replacement,” Lisa explains. Despite the challenge of filling gaps, Lisa remains deeply committed to the mission. “It fills my heart to know I’m helping people get the nutrition and daily checks they need to stay independent in their homes,” she shares. “The smiles, warm greetings, and conversations I have with clients make every delivery meaningful. They become like friends, and I look forward to hearing their stories each week.”
A retired elementary school teacher, Lisa has always had a passion for helping others. She and her husband Michael recently celebrated 44 years of marriage and are proud parents of three grown children. They find joy in their three young grandsons and are fortunate to spend two days a week babysitting—something Lisa calls “pure joy.” When she’s not volunteering or with family, Lisa enjoys being outdoors hiking near Nolde Forest or Grings Mill, practicing yoga, and embracing the beauty of everyday life.
Her passion for Meals on Wheels is rooted in a deeply personal story. “I was raised to believe that sharing food is a way to say ‘I care about you.’ My grandmother lived that through her church service, and my mother, Barb, carried on that tradition,” she says. “Mom delivered Meals on Wheels for many years with her best friend. When I retired, she and I picked up her old route again together. It was such a joy to see clients remember her and light up when she returned.” Even as her mother’s dementia progressed, Lisa continued to deliver meals—first with her mother, and now on her own. “At first it was sad,” she reflects. “Now, I often feel my mother with me on the route, right by my side. I’m thankful she introduced me to Meals on Wheels. I’m proud to continue the tradition.” Through her service, Lisa is not only nourishing her community—she’s honoring memory of those who taught her the value of showing love through action.
Barb and Lisa out delivering meals for Easter in 2022
Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back to the community? Meals on Wheels Berks County is in need of deliver drivers to fill open routes during the summer months and commit to regular routes that are open from our Reading Center. Please complete a volunteer application on our website berksencore.org or contact Michelle Goodhart, Volunteer Coordinator for more information 610-374-3195 ext. 228 mgoodhart@berksencore.org.
