History
The idea for a Meals on Wheels program for the State College School District area originated in March 1971 as a Lenten project of the State College Ministerium led by the Rev. Canon James B. Trost of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and The Rev. Peter Mackey of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. The Ministerium worked with members of The Altrusa Club of State College and Church Women United to fund this program.
A task force was developed to put together a Meals on Wheels Program and consisted of the following:
Lillian Husted, Chair
The Rev. Peter Mackey
Dr. Rose Cologne
Ann Cook
Eleanor Eccelston
Louise B. Hamilton
Mary Lou Herlocher
The Rev. Canon James B. Trost
Margaret Yost
Charles Weyandt, attorney, drafted the original bylaws
First Board of Directors (1971):
Eleanor Eccleston, President
Bill Jeffries
Frances Forbes
Adele Haugh
Ken Kulp
Madge Spearly
John Swinton
The Rev. James Trost
First Meal Served: August 16, 1971 to 28 clients
Executive Directors:
Meals on Wheels Presidents:
Eleanor Eccleston, President
Bill Jeffries
Frances Forbes
Adele Haugh
Ken Kulp
Madge Spearly
John Swinton
The Rev. James Trost
First Meal Served: August 16, 1971 to 28 clients
Executive Directors:
| 1971-1985 | Margaret Yost |
| 1985-1986 | Christine Helwig, Interim |
| 1986-1988 | Teresa M. Reis, RD |
| 1988-2014 | Anna Carol Buffington, RD, LDN |
| 2014-2020 | Christine Tyler |
| 2020-2021 | Suelynn Shiller |
| 2022-Present | Michael Brindley |
Meals on Wheels Presidents:
| 1971-1974 | Eleanor Eccleston, R.D. |
| 1974-1975 | Lillian Husted |
| 1975-1977 | Louise W. Hamilton, R.D. |
| 1977-1978 | Ken H. Kulp |
| 1978-1981 | H. K. “Hank” Anders |
| 1981-1984 | Thurston Reeves |
| 1984-1985 | John Swinton |
| 1986-1989 | Ethel Quarles |
| 1989 | Blair Bice |
| 1989 | Adele Haugh |
| 1990-1991 | Helene Rayburn |
| 1992-1995 | Harold Walton |
| 1996-1997 | Helen Schroeder |
| 1998-2000 | Glen Haney |
| 2001-2002 | Joel Mock |
| 2003-2004 | Donn Frazier |
| 2005 | Michael Conti |
| 2005-2015 | William Haner |
| 2016-2018 | Michael Scott |
| 2019-Present | Sharon Ambrose |
Program Milestone: Five-day per week service initiated the week of June 15-19, 2015. 50 clients received meals for the first time on a Tuesday (June 16, 2015).
