For many students pursuing healthcare degrees, volunteer hours are a requirement. But what if those hours could become something more, something that deepens your understanding of patient care while making a real difference in your community?
That’s exactly what happened for Katie Blakely, a student at Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, who chose Cabarrus Meals on Wheels to complete the remaining hours of the 48 hours of required research and volunteer service for her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program project.
More Than a Requirement
Katie didn’t just check a box when choosing where to complete her required service hours, she intentionally chose to serve her own community. As a Midland resident, she recognized that many of her senior neighbors face food insecurity and wanted to better understand those challenges firsthand. Cabarrus Meals on Wheels quickly came to mind as a way to both fulfill her hours and give back locally. After connecting with staff, she already knew, she saw it as a meaningful opportunity to explore the social determinants of health she was learning about in class while directly supporting seniors in Midland.
“I wanted to see how the program worked, how it helped the community, and what the impact was from the client’s perspective,” she shared.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
During her time with Cabarrus Meals on Wheels, Katie gained a well-rounded, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to serve homebound seniors each day. She shadowed the Case Manager, learning the ins and outs of client onboarding and even participated in a home assessment. She also spent time with the Volunteer Coordinator to understand the complexity of scheduling and supporting a large volunteer network. To round out her experience, Katie stepped into the role of a volunteer herself—delivering meals independently using the program’s mobile app and seeing firsthand the impact of each visit.
One of her biggest takeaways? The scale of coordination behind each delivery.
“It’s truly eye-opening to see all the moving pieces,” she said. “There’s a full kitchen, staff, volunteers, routes to manage—it’s a big network.”
She also noticed something important: many volunteers were retirees themselves, highlighting a need for younger generations to step in and get involved.
A New Perspective on Patient Care
For Katie, the experience directly connected to her nursing education. Concepts like food access, transportation, and social isolation—often discussed in lectures—became real through the people she met.
“Social determinants of health all play off each other,” she explained. “This experience reinforced how important it is to look at the whole person—physical, emotional, and social.”
Even simple interactions during meal delivery made an impact. Each visit acts as more than just a drop-off. It’s a built-in safety check and often the only face-to-face interaction a client may have that day.
“That daily check is huge,” Katie said. “It gives peace of mind to families and ensures someone is looking out for them.”
Small Time Commitment, Big Impact
One of the most surprising realizations? How much of a difference just a small amount of time can make.
“I know how important 1–2 hours a day can be,” Katie shared. “It doesn’t take much to deliver a meal and a smile, but it means the world to someone who can’t get out.”
She also emphasized how approachable volunteering is, even for busy students.
“There’s an app, and I learned it in less than 10 minutes. It’s very doable,” she said. “You can even team up with friends and do a route together.”
Why Students Should Consider Meals on Wheels
For students needing volunteer hours—especially those in healthcare fields—Cabarrus Meals on Wheels offers a unique opportunity to:
- Gain hands-on experience with real community health needs
- Understand the impact of social determinants of health
- Build compassion and communication skills with patients
- Make an immediate, visible difference in someone’s life
And perhaps most importantly, it’s instantly rewarding.
“You can see the appreciation on clients’ faces,” Katie said. “You’re blessing yourself as you bless others.”
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re a student looking to complete required service hours or simply want to give back in a meaningful way, consider volunteering with Cabarrus Meals on Wheels. Whether you go solo or bring a friend, even one delivery route can leave a lasting impression.
Katie’s advice is simple: just start. “It’s not hard to get involved,” she says. She encourages students to team up with friends, turn it into a shared experience, and give it a try at least once.
“Anyone can really handle a delivery route,” Katie adds. “It only takes a little time, but the impact is huge. It’s instantly rewarding and the feeling you get from helping someone is something you won’t forget.”
