Utah County mayors, elected officials partake in delivering Meals on Wheels
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- Cedar Hills Mayor Denise Andersen poses for a photo with resident Mindy Boyce on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
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- Cedar Hills Mayor Denise Andersen, left, joins Meals on Wheels volunteer Brad Liljenquist in placing a meal delivery in a container Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
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- Utah state Sen. Heidi Balderree, right, is pictured with a resident and Meals on Wheels Executive Director Jimmy Golding, left, during a delivery stop Monday, March 17, 2025.
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- Cedar Hills Mayor Denise Andersen, second from left, joins Meals on Wheels volunteer Brad Liljenquist, right, and Meals on Wheels Executive Director Jimmy Golding, left, on a delivery stop Tuesday, March 18, 2025.
More than a dozen Utah County mayors, city leaders and elected officials are seeing what it’s like to deliver meals to homebound seniors as they join volunteer drivers with the Meals on Wheels program.
The effort is part of a nationwide campaign being conducted in conjunction with the 15th annual March for Meals.
From March 18-28, local mayors and community leaders will join volunteer drivers on meal deliveries. A total of 26 local mayors and community leaders will join volunteer drivers on meal deliveries through the end of next week.
On Tuesday, Denise Andersen, mayor of Cedar Hills, accompanied Brad Liljenquist on his normal weekly delivery route.
Liljenquist has been volunteering for nearly a year and enjoys forming a bond with the citizens he comes in contact with, many of whom may not have nearby family or the means to get nutrition otherwise.
“I enjoy checking on them (and) see how they’re doing,” he said. “You know, you do it for a period of time and you get to know the people and so you develop a connection.”
Liljenquist’s route includes stops in Cedar Hills, Pleasant Grove and American Fork.
Andersen said she values the experience of meeting older residents in the community, those who likely are unable to attend public events.
“It’s fun to be able to go into somebody’s home and talk with them personally and get a feel for what they’re experiencing in their lives at that time,” Andersen told the Daily Herald. “It’s just really heartwarming and such a great opportunity.”
Across Utah, Wasatch and Summit counties, Meals on Wheels delivers 500 meals to homebound seniors every weekday.
Nearly 70% of the meals are delivered by volunteers, while the remaining are handled by paid delivery drivers. The Meals on Wheels programs in the three counties are locally operated by the Mountainland Association of Governments, or MAG.
The agency relies on federal and local funding to sustain and expand its services.
MAG leaders say close to 500 seniors remain on a waiting list due to ongoing demand and financial obstacles.
“In the past year, we’ve seen a growing need for our services,” said Michelle Carroll, executive director of MAG, in a press release. “We’re incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received so far, but there’s still more to be done. Ensuring every senior in need receives proper nutrition and social connection remains a top priority.”
More broadly, Meals on Wheels program officials previously expressed concern in the wake of a potential executive order by President Donald Trump that would halt federal funding that the organizations depend on.
For now, mayors like Andersen encourage citizens who are able to consider volunteer opportunities or other ways they can support the local Meals on Wheels program.
“I think most people don’t realize that this program is happening every day in their communities and helping people that can’t help themselves,” she said. “I would say if you don’t have the time to volunteer as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, then find some way to contribute financially so this program can continue.”
