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VIPs celebrate CHEER’s March for Meals in Sussex County

Nancy Pierce, left, looks forward to the visits from Meals on Wheels. Delaware State Housing Authority Director Matthew Heckles delivers her Meals on Wheels dinners and lunches for the March for Meals event. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
March 31, 2026

March for Meals was celebrated March 16-19 at at locations throughout Sussex County. On those days, community members, state, county and local agency representatives, and elected officials were on hand to help deliver the meals and learn the importance of the program. 

Milton CHEER dignitaries included were District 6 Sen. Russ Huxtable and Delaware State Housing Authority Director Matthew Heckles. 

Meals on Wheels provides nutritious meals and safety check companionship to homebound seniors who cannot care for themselves by cooking or shopping. Nutritious meals are delivered to their home by volunteers, often including hot lunches and frozen options for weekends. The volunteers are sometimes the only visitors that the recipient has to check up on them. They also help support the recipient by bringing food for their pets.

“March for Meals reminds us that no senior should ever face hunger alone,” said Beckett Wheatley, CHEER CEO. “At CHEER, we see every day how a nutritious meal and a caring visit help older adults remain healthy, independent and connected. Ending senior hunger truly takes a community.” 

Nationwide, the Meals on Wheels network now serves 247 million meals to nearly 2.8 million seniors annually. CHEER delivered over a quarter-million meals to Sussex County senior citizens last year.

Residents of Sussex County can support the local March for Meals effort by volunteering to deliver meals, making a donation or advocating for senior nutrition funding. For information, contact CHEER at www.cheerde.com or call 302-515-0001.

 

 

Shown at the CHEER Activity Center in Milton are (l-r) Walt Koopman, CHEER board president; Tom Reardon, CHEER chief operating officer; Marion Poole, outreach worker at CHEER; Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes; and volunteer Rick Rinderle.
Edward Beckett loads the bags of meals to be delivered around Sussex County.
Sen. Russ Huxtable delivered meals to recipients in Milton and handed them cards for them to reach him if they need anything.
CHEER Board President Walt Koopman, left, speaks about the meals with CHEER Dietary Director Ricky Pitts.
Earl Cook, left, and Edward Beckett load up the CHEER van to make deliveries to recipients around Sussex County.
Volunteer John King seals the dinners to be distributed with Meals on Wheels.
Ernestine Sheinall, left, and Cathy Tydings scoop out the nutritious food for the Meals on Wheels dinners.
Ginny Bolin prepares the food for the delivery.
David Cannon cleans the utensils after the food is prepared.
Sen. Russ Huxtable along with volunteer Karen Fernandez delivered meals to recipients in Milton.
Sen. Russ Huxtable, left, has a moment before the delivery of the meals with Delaware State Housing Authority Director Matthew Heckles
CHEER outreach worker Marion Poole, left, gives a daily report to CHEER Chief Operating Officer Tom Reardon.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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