Anne Daly spent 40 years as a registered dietitian. Six months into her retirement, she wanted to fill her schedule with something that fit her interests. One evening while watching the local news, she saw a clip about Senior Services of Central Illinois’ need for volunteers for its Daily Bread program.
“I knew immediately this sounded like a good fit for me,” Daly said.
The nonprofit Senior Services of Central Illinois provides older adults with non-medical services that enhance quality of life and promote independent living. It launched its Daily Bread midday-meal program in 1973, expanding core nutrition and support services over the decades.
Daily Bread now offers meals to seniors 60-plus at seven sites in Sangamon and Menard Counties where residents enjoy a nourishing meal, fellowship, informative programs and social activities. Meals are delivered to those who are homebound. All meal plans are approved by licensed dietitian nutritionists.
Daly, who first volunteered more than four years ago, drives her route on Wednesdays. She picks up the meals, which include a hot meal and a lighter cold meal, at 9 a.m. and typically finishes her deliveries in 60 to 75 minutes. “My routes have varied and changed slightly over time but have mostly included a neighborhood area that I’ve come to know well,” she said. “It really is a minor demand on my time for what I know is a huge benefit to recipients.”
Clients must meet certain criteria to be eligible to receive meals. “Most of my clients are limited mobility, with some being totally bedridden,” Daly said. “All of them are in serious need of nutritional support. The meals we provide are nutritionally balanced, attractively packaged, and the menus are common foods that are generally popular to a wide audience. Recipients are very, very appreciative of these meals.”
Daily Bread Nutrition Director Jennifer Duprey said that Senior Services’ volunteers are an essential part of keeping the important program going. “I am a firm believer of keeping seniors healthy, independent, self-sufficient and in their own homes for as long as their health allows,” Duprey said. “Daily Bread is forever grateful to all of our amazing volunteers for their dedicated, generous and valuable time that they all put into our program. Every single volunteer is truly making a difference in each and every one of our seniors’ lives.”
Daily Bread Volunteer Coordinator Kristie Reynolds reported that 48 volunteers regularly deliver meals to 262 homebound seniors. Additionally, eight substitute volunteers help cover routes as needed, and three professional and community groups provide volunteers on a regular basis for an assigned day and route.
Reynolds said she is passionate about the program. “One of the greatest challenges in my role is balancing the logistics of the program with the human side of what we do,” she said. “There are a lot of moving pieces behind the scenes – coordinating volunteers, covering routes, managing schedules, handling last-minute changes and making sure everything runs smoothly. … Seeing how much a meal, a friendly conversation or simply knowing that someone is checking on you can mean to a person has reminded me why this work matters. It’s rewarding to know that what we do helps older adults remain independent while also letting them know they haven’t been forgotten.”
Daly said she is glad to have the opportunity to give back to the community in a way she knows matters. “Besides receiving the meal, our visit provides at least a small snippet of social interaction on a daily basis for people who may have little or no company on a regular basis … while others are less social during my visits,” she said. “It makes me feel happy knowing I have a dedicated appointment weekly to participate in this highly important program.”
Janet Seitz is a local communications professional, writer and artist. To share your story, contact her at janetseitz1@gmail.com.
This article appears in October SBJ 2026.