In 1964, when a small group of volunteers launched the Meals on Wheels program in Peterborough, they were driven by a simple yet urgent need: to ensure that seniors living at home could receive a hot meal and a warm connection. But a good idea needs infrastructure—and when the fledgling service needed a way to handle incoming referrals, the Rotary Club of Peterborough stepped in.
Their donation funded a telephone answering service, one of the earliest logistical supports for Meals on Wheels. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was essential. Thanks to Rotary’s responsiveness, the program could receive calls, coordinate deliveries, and grow.
That quiet, steady support has continued across decades. As early as the 1960s, the Rotary Club of Peterborough was organizing volunteers to help the Peterborough Courtesy Association deliver meals. In the years since, Rotary members have remained steadfast supporters, offering financial assistance and driving routes of their own. Today, many of our Meals on Wheels volunteers are proud Rotarians, continuing a tradition of service that spans generations.
The Rotary Club of Peterborough describes itself as a community of change-makers and city-builders. Their support of Meals on Wheels embodies that mission—not just through dollars or recognition, but through practical, meaningful action. When our community called, Rotary answered. And for 60 years, their response has helped ensure that thousands of local seniors receive the nourishment and connection they need to remain safely at home.
We are grateful to the Rotary Club of Peterborough—and to all four Rotary Clubs in our region—for helping build a community where no one is forgotten.
