Meals on Wheels (MOW) marks 40th anniversary with celebration reception on Sunday, May 20

                          It will be wine, gourmet hors-d’oeuvres and music when Meals on Wheels of Ridgefield, Connecticut, Inc. (MOW) officially marks its 40^th Anniversary on Sunday, May 20, from 4 – 6 p.m. at The Pavilion, Temple Shearith Israel (46 Peaceable St., Ridgefield). First Selectman for the Town of Ridgefield Rudy Marconi will be on hand to present a proclamation in recognition of this not-for-profit organization’s 40 years of service to Ridgefield. Members of MOW’s Board of Directors, the 40^th Anniversary Committee, staff and volunteers will greet guests, and a visual tour of the MOW cooking and delivery operation will be unveiled at the event. Haute Cuisine sponsors for the Meals on Wheels 40^th Anniversary are Fairfield County Bank and Ridgefield Thrift Shop. Gourmet level sponsor is Dyane MacDaniel-Brandt.                            

                       To enhance the May 20 celebration, The RHS Odysseus String Quartet will play a variety of musical selections. First violinist Shannon Reilly (’12) founded the quartet last summer as part of Ridgefield High School’s music program breakout groups with fellow advanced musicians Michelle Ye (violin, ’13), Catie DiElsi (viola, ’13), and David Toto (cello, ’12). The members of the quartet have been playing their instruments and taking private lessons for years and are top ranked players in area youth orchestras, including the Norwalk Youth Symphony.  Odysseus has been playing on a professional level and are available for weddings, parties, and fundraisers. For more information, email rhsodysseusquartet@gmail.com

                    Since 1972, some 120 MOW’s volunteers have been cooking and delivering meals to Ridgefield residents who are unable to buy provisions or cook for themselves. Last year, clients received more than 20,000 handcrafted lunches and dinners made in the pristine stainless steel kitchen in Ballard Green, which houses Meals on Wheels of Ridgefield, Connecticut, Inc. The simple act of bringing a nutritious meal to a housebound person nourishes both body and soul.  As a totally independent not-for-profit corporation, MOW of Ridgefield, Connecticut, Inc. is able to serve any Ridgefield resident determined to be in need, with an array of satisfying, tasty and nutritious meals. MOW relies on the generosity of individuals, businesses and philanthropic organizations who support its mission of “Providing nourishing meals to those needing assistance”.

                     “Meals on Wheels is more than food; it’s an organization of neighbors helping neighbors,” said First Selectman for the Town of Ridgefield Rudy Marconi when reflecting recently on the vital role played by MOW of Ridgefield.

                  The $40 price of admission will help support this not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. For tickets for May 20, call Joyce Ligi at 203-438-4724, or email her at Ligi@att.net