At Meals on Wheels Sacramento County, leadership is about more than providing food. It is about feeding a community’s sense of dignity through nourishment, connection and care.
Under the guidance of an all-women-led team, the organization is redefining what it means to feed the region’s elders, expanding programs far beyond the traditional meal delivery model and serving more than 100,000 meals to 2,500 seniors from October 2025 to January 2026.
One of the most transformative initiatives is the café and restaurant program, which invites older adults navigating food insecurity and isolation to dine at participating local restaurants. In just four months, the Community Café Program served 20,872 meals, while the Restaurant Program provided 2,431 meals, underscoring how shared spaces for food can also become hubs for connection. Through these partnerships, seniors enjoy nutritious, prepared meals in welcoming environments, an experience that supports both physical health and emotional well-being.
“Nutrition will always be at the heart of our mission, but compassion is at the soul of it.”— Mindy Klick, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels Sacramento County
“Sharing a meal in a community setting gives our participants something truly vital: a sense of belonging,” says Executive Director Mindy Klick. “Nutrition will always be at the heart of our mission, but compassion is the soul of it.”
That compassion shows up in the people who make the work possible: drivers, more than 300 volunteers contributing nearly 5,000 hours of service each month, and staff who turn routine deliveries and café visits into lifelines of conversation and care.
For local restaurant partners, the program offers something equally meaningful: steady business and a direct line to serving their neighbors. Owners describe the collaboration as a way to keep staff working, fill seats during slower hours and feel more connected to the seniors who have supported them for years. With partners like The Brick House Restaurant in Elk Grove joining the program, every plate served supports both older adults and the local economy, creating a loop of care that benefits the entire community.
Guided by Klick and a tight-knit group of women leaders, Meals on Wheels Sacramento County has embraced collaboration, adaptability and innovation as core values. Business Office Manager Jennifer Yee, with 21 years of service, brings deep institutional knowledge and financial steadiness. Director of Operations Jennifer Massello, who has been with the organization for 15 years, keeps programs running smoothly so meals and services reach seniors on time. Newer leaders add fresh energy: Director of Fund Development Kimberlee DiBartolo, in her role for 10 months, is growing philanthropic support, while Director of Case Management Kimberly Carreno, in her position for four months, helps ensure seniors receive the right services and support. Executive Assistant Perlissa Delgado, with the team for one year, keeps leadership organized and connected, helping the entire operation function at a high level. Without these women, things simply would not be the same at Meals on Wheels.
In a time when social isolation and hunger remain pressing challenges for older adults, Meals on Wheels Sacramento County, driven by its women-led leadership, shows how compassion and strategy can work hand in hand. For the women leading the organization, every new partnership, from a community café to a neighborhood restaurant, is another way to ensure seniors are seen, served and welcomed at the table.
