For more than three decades, the Cabarrus Meals on Wheels route covering Midland has been a dependable presence in the community, providing care, connection, and nourishment to the seniors who rely on it. Rain or shine, through holiday weeks and even months with a fifth week, seniors along Route 11 have always known they could count on a knock at the door, a warm meal, and a friendly hello.
At the heart of that consistency is Becky Barbee, a dedicated volunteer, and the faith-filled commitment of Bethel Church with support from the greater Midland community.
January 2026 marked Becky’s 34th year of service.
How It All Began
Becky first got involved in 1992 as a Flowes Store ECA Club member when her dear friend Marian Little, who was a member of the United Methodist Women (UMW) of Bethel Church, invited her to help deliver meals on a new Midland route. That’s when she realized Meals on Wheels was active right here in Cabarrus County.
Bethel Church had adopted the entire Midland route, committing to cover every weekday of the year. Through their dedication as volunteers, Marian and Becky stepped up as Route Coordinators, keeping the schedule fully staffed so Cabarrus Meals on Wheels never had to worry about coverage. While Marian is now homebound, the legacy she helped build remains strong, with Route 11 fully covered 34 years later.
Serving the Community That Raised Her
When asked why she chose the Midland route, Becky’s answer is personal: her grandparents, parents, and she herself all grew up in Midland. “It’s community helping community,” she says. Coordinating volunteers and keeping the calendar full is just another way of taking care of her neighbors, ensuring every senior in the area is treated with dignity, consistency, and kindness.
A Commitment That Grew Over Time
Becky never imagined she would still be involved with Meals on Wheels more than three decades later. In her words, it doesn’t feel like 34 years have passed—but the people she has met along the way have left a lasting mark on her life.
She fondly recalls the gratitude of the seniors she served, many of whom looked forward not just to the meals, but to the friendly faces and conversations that came with them. Those connections were just as meaningful as the service itself, creating bonds that often lasted for years. Becky also treasures the friendships she formed with fellow volunteers, who shared her commitment and passion for caring for the community.
Looking back on her decades of service, Becky says she has seen firsthand the difference a consistent, caring presence can make in someone’s life. Today, she proudly calls Cabarrus Meals on Wheels one of the best services in the county, not only for the nourishment it provides, but for the compassion, reliability, and human connection it brings to seniors who need it most.
A Model of Volunteer Coordination
Over the years, coordinating Bethel Church’s adopted route coverage has grown into a well-organized, community-powered system. Volunteers typically choose one recurring day each month to deliver. A monthly calendar is sent out the week before the new month begins, listing each volunteer’s assigned day and phone number. If someone can’t make their delivery, volunteers can easily swap days or find coverage amongst themselves.
When openings arise, they are shared in the church bulletin. Thanks to strong collaboration among area churches and the close-knit connections in the community, word spreads quickly, and the opening is filled in no time.
Local manufacturer, Corning Incorporated, has even partnered to cover specific days and help with months that include a fifth week.
Service on this route has become a true community effort. Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds have stepped up over the years to keep it running smoothly. Becky’s parents both volunteered before they passed, and her sister continues to deliver. Becky even brought her granddaughter along during summer months for years, inspiring the next generation to serve.
Why It Matters
Knowing seniors can count on daily meal deliveries brings Becky deep satisfaction. “It makes me feel good. We’ve helped these people. We’re there for them,” she says. Many clients have no family nearby, so these visits provide both food and human connection. Becky emphasizes that volunteering with Meals on Wheels is not just about delivering meals—it’s about making seniors feel seen, heard, and valued.
To Those Considering Volunteering
Becky’s message is simple: you can make the time. Many volunteers pick a day off from work, and it only takes an hour to an hour and a half. “The satisfaction of knowing you’re helping someone makes every minute worth it,” she says.
Becky encourages anyone considering volunteering to give it a try because those small moments of connection can make a huge difference both for the people you serve and for yourself.
Why She Keeps Coming Back
Year after year, Becky is motivated by knowing she is making a difference, helping someone who may be home alone, strengthening the community she loves, and ensuring no one is forgotten. Volunteering also gives her the chance to help people she might never have met otherwise, expanding her circle of care and connection across the Midland community.
“Everyone is so appreciative,” she says simply. “And that appreciation is a constant reminder of why this work matters.”
Looking Ahead
Today, Becky is joined by Christina Hall, helping coordinate the route and recruit younger volunteers. They intentionally engage new generations, encouraging children and grandchildren to learn and serve. The Midland route now benefits from a diverse group of volunteers, including husband-and-wife teams who enjoy delivering together while making a difference in the community.
A Legacy of Reliability and Care
Thanks to Becky Barbee, Bethel Church and a dedicated network of volunteers, seniors on Route 11 have had peace of mind every weekday for 34 years, knowing they are not alone. They are seen, they matter, and they are cared for.
That is the power of Cabarrus Meals on Wheels and the heart of a community that keeps saying “yes.”
A Legacy of Care and Community
The story of Becky Barbee, Bethel Church, and the volunteers who serve the Midland route is a powerful example of what can happen when a community comes together to care for its neighbors. By adopting the Midland route, Bethel Church committed to ensuring seniors on Route 11 have a warm meal and a friendly visit every weekday. For 34 years, they, along with Becky and a dedicated network of volunteers, have provided reliability, compassion, and human connection that seniors can count on.
This legacy shows that volunteering with Meals on Wheels is about more than delivering food, it’s about making a real difference in people’s lives, one meal and one visit at a time.
If Becky’s dedication inspires you, there are many ways to get involved, from delivering meals to adopting a route yourself, and helping ensure seniors in Cabarrus County continue to be seen, valued, and cared for. Learn more about volunteering, supporting, or donating at cabarrusmow.org.
