Meals on Wheels recipients get special spring surprise

A volunteer holds a box, half empty from giving flowers

Just as this spring’s flowers finally started to bloom, Meals on Wheels recipients in Minneapolis got a special surprise along with their regular meal delivery.

Boxes of flowers

Each spring, the Minneapolis Institute of Art hosts its Art in Bloom festival where artists depict the museum’s works in flowers. This year, the flowers found new life with meal recipients after the event.

A meal recipient holding the flower we gave her

Volunteers from the After Bloom program arranged the flowers in bouquets to be delivered to meal recipients in Minneapolis. Volunteers with the Community Emergency Service (CES) Meals on Wheels program then graciously delivered the arrangements to meal recipients on Monday, April 30.

A volunteer holding a box of flowers

“The flowers were a huge hit,” said Melanie LaPointe, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at CES. “All the clients were delighted and the drivers loved being able to surprise them with something fresh and pretty. Several drivers commented that even the men were tickled to get flowers, and a few mentioned that it was the first time they ever received flowers.”

A meal recipient holding a flower we gifted him

Thanks to the Meals on Wheels and Art in Bloom volunteers who made this special delivery possible. Because of you, Meals on Wheels recipients were able to ring in spring with a little extra cheer!