Feeding Futures

Fighting food insecurity with innovative action. A story series sponsored by Principal® Foundation

WESLEY LIFE MEALS ON WHEELS – Nourishing Both Body and Spirit

Every day, nearly 2,000 meals leave the WesleyLife Meals on Wheels kitchen in Des Moines—not just to fill plates, but to spark connection, build community, and support independence for older Iowans.

“We’re not just dropping off a meal. We’re offering a lifeline,” says Shannon Draayer, Executive Director of Community Nutrition for WesleyLife. “For many people we serve, we may be the only person they see that day.”

WesleyLife Meals on Wheels has served Central Iowa since 2006, offering home-delivered meals, well-being checks, and social support. Nearly half of the meals are delivered directly to older adults who live alone, many of whom rely on this daily visit for both sustenance and social interaction.

And it’s not just about filling plates—it’s about quality, too. With fresh produce sourced from a hydroponic farm just steps from the kitchen, every meal is packed with nutrients and prepared with care. “We believe healthy food should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or income,” Draayer says.

What’s more, the program fosters intergenerational bonds. Volunteers of all ages—students, retirees, working professionals—help deliver meals, creating meaningful conversations across generations.

On the United Nations International Day of Older Persons in October, WesleyLife’s mission is a powerful reminder that food can do more than feed us—it can bring us together.

“Food connects us,” Draayer says. “It creates community.”