Fueling Lives for 50 Years!
In 2024, Cabarrus Meals on Wheels (CMOW) is celebrating a significant milestone—our 50th anniversary. Throughout the year, we plan to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff, compassionate volunteers, and committed board members for their invaluable contributions through events, videos, stories, and more!
Over the past five decades, our organization has grown and evolved, touching the lives of countless individuals through the provision of meals and companionship. This anniversary is a testament to the enduring commitment of everyone involved, and we take this moment to reflect on the impact we’ve made together. Thank you for 50 years of unwavering support, dedication, and compassion as we continue to serve our community with renewed vigor and a deep sense of purpose.
Celebrate & Sign Up!
Help us celebrate 50 years of fueling lives by committing to a meal route in 2024.
From Humble Beginnings: Tracing Our Growth Story
As we celebrate 50 remarkable years of service, we invite you to embark on a nostalgic journey through our rich history. This timeline serves as a testament to half a century of unwavering commitment to our community. Join us in reflecting on the milestones that have shaped our organization, fueled by the spirit of compassion and the dedication of those who have made our mission a reality. As we look back, we honor the past and, with gratitude, pave the way for the future of Cabarrus Meals on Wheels.
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Aug 1974
The need for a local Meals on Wheels program was determined in a survey by the Salisbury District of United Methodist Churches.
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Oct 1974
Bylaws were established for Concord Meals on Wheels and the first board was elected.
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Feb 3, 1975
The first deliveries went out to eight clients by four drivers.
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1975
Volunteers ran the program and meals were prepared by Cabarrus County Schools and Cabarrus Nursing Center. 2,275 meals were served, 7-16 daily. There were 34 volunteers.
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1977
Our service expanded to Kannapolis and we changed our name to Cabarrus Meals on Wheels. We also became a United Way Agency.
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1978
Our service expanded to Mount Pleasant.
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May 1986
Cabarrus Meals on Wheels moves to a new location on 56 McCachern Blvd.
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1989
Our service expanded to Harrisburg.
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1990
25,189 meals were served to 225 clients on 10 routes.
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1992
Our service expanded to include Midland and the Flowes Store Road area.
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1994
Service expanded to Miami Church Road area with the addition of a fifth Concord delivery route. 36,814 meals were served to 284 clients on 13 routes.
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1996
Our first fundraising luncheon and silent auction was held.
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2000
We collaborated with the Department of Aging to obtain funding to expand service to those on our wait list and those living in areas outside our current delivery areas.
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2003
Cabarrus Meals on Wheels held the first Sunday Soup Sampling fundraising event.
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2005
We obtained a United Way Focus Grant to provide weekend frozen meals for 20 routes.
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2007
We surpassed serving 300 clients per day.
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Nov 2008
In our 34th year of operation, we served our one-millionth meal.
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2009
We moved to 1701 S Main St, Kannapolis, NC and began preparing fresh daily meals in our own kitchen.
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2011
Service expanded to open our 30th route to the Logan Community area.
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2020
We never missed one day delivering meals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Sept 2020
We moved into a new facility with over 10,000 sq. ft. located at 342 Penny Lane in Concord with a 3,000 sq. ft. commercial kitchen.
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2024
We launched a new logo created to celebrate our 50th Anniversary.
Jan 1, 2024
Anniversary Logo Launch
Brand Evolution
Explore our iconic logos, that capture the essence of our organization’s growth, resilience, and unwavering dedication to serving the community over the years. Each logo represents a chapter in our journey, reflecting the evolving nature of our mission and the enduring impact of our services.
1974
2005
2024
Our newest logo symbolizes our commitment to food delivery, incorporating fork and spoon elements while conveying the speed and motion of our service, previously represented by a car.
However, we also wanted to show that more than a meal, we care for our clients in so many ways with the simple heart around the word “on”. We feel this logo brings a fresh look to increase our brand recognition and awareness to our mission.
Ms. Anna Pat Bailey, First Executive Director
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1974-1977
No Executive Director. Board and volunteer run.
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1977-1986
Anna Pat Bailey
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1986-1988
Mary Alice Garrison
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1988-1992
Connie Manchester
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1992-1997
Kareen Scott
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1997-1998
Danielle Hunter
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1998
Patricia LeNeave
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1999-2000
Sue Price
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2000-2003
Tammy Cochran
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2003-2006
Ann Davis
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2006-Present
Kimberly Strong
Cooking Through the Ages: The Story of Our Meal Prep and Kitchen Evolution
• 1975 – Meals were prepared by Cabarrus County Schools and Cabarrus Nursing Center.
• 1978 – Cabarrus Memorial Hospital began meal preparation.
• 2009 – Began preparing meals fresh daily in own kitchen in new location in Kannapolis.
By preparing our meals in-house within our own kitchen, we not only save money but also enjoy greater flexibility in crafting our menu. We undergo health department evaluations four times a year. Our exceptional kitchen staff ensures a clean and attentive environment, as evidenced by the impressive 100 ratings received.
• 2020 – Purchased new building in Concord with 3,000 SF commercial kitchen.
Operating from our previous kitchen in the Kannapolis location, we reached full capacity. The demand, as indicated by a waitlist, underscored the community’s need. With our new and spacious facility, equipped with a larger kitchen, we can now extend our services to provide over 1,000 meals daily.
We now even have the space to store pet food donations for our Pet Food Assistance Program.
Volunteer Stories
Calling all volunteers!
Share your inspiring story with us! Fill out our form for a chance to be featured in an upcoming monthly newsletter. Your dedication deserves recognition!
