It’s a bright, cool fall morning in Peterborough. A thin layer of frost glistens on the grass, but inside the Meals on Wheels room, the air is warm with quiet focus. Volunteers move steadily, unpacking boxes of frozen meals to restock the freezers. There’s little chatter — everyone simply knows the job that needs to be done.
Janice is the first person I meet. She’s holding a freezer bag in one hand and a delivery list in the other, her attention fixed on making sure everything is packed in the right order. Moments later, Eric pops through the door with an easy grin and buoyant energy, greeting other volunteers as he gathers the remaining bags. Together, they form a calm and lively balance — efficiency and enthusiasm in equal measure.
When we step into the car, the gentle aroma of warm meals fills the air — a small comfort that travels with them on every delivery. Eric first connected with Meals on Wheels more than thirty years ago, when he was teaching at Armour Heights Public School and brought his students along for a day of deliveries. The experience left a lasting mark, and years later, after retiring, he began volunteering himself. Eventually, he invited Janice to join him.
Now, after more than twenty years together on the route, their rhythm is second nature. Eric drives, often waving to familiar faces along the way, while Janice takes each meal to the door, her warmth evident in every interaction.
Their clients vary widely — some quiet, some chatty, some living modestly, others more comfortably — but all share a moment of connection that transcends circumstance.
Among their fondest memories are Pat and Cecil, a couple they delivered to for years. As Eric and Janice recall their visits, their faces brighten with the same vitality those moments once carried. Even after Pat moved to British Columbia, they kept in touch — visiting her several times, including once unannounced.
As we return to the office, insulated bags now empty, Eric and Janice share a quiet satisfaction. What began as a simple routine has become a rhythm of care — one delivery, and one friendship, at a time.
