Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital has signed an agreement to transfer the sponsorship of Meals on Wheels Mesa County (MOW) to Volunteers of America Colorado (VOA Colorado), a nonprofit, faith‑based organization with expertise in senior nutrition programs across the state. The transition will take effect April 18, 2026. 

St. Mary’s has proudly served as the sponsoring organization for MOW for more than 35 years. When the donation‑ and grant‑funded program faced closure in 1989, St. Mary’s stepped in to ensure it could continue. Since then, the program has grown into a vital community resource, now delivering roughly 136,000 nutritious meals each year through home delivery and eight dining sites.

"Meals on Wheels Mesa County is an essential lifeline for so many seniors in our community,” said Bryan Johnson, President of St. Mary’s Regional Hospital. “We have been honored to support this mission and recognize Volunteers of America Colorado is uniquely positioned to carry this work into the future. This transition ensures the program is well‑positioned for continued growth and long‑term success.” 

The sponsorship organization provides essential in‑kind support for the MOW program, including human resources, information technology, facilities management, financial oversight, and fundraising support. 

“St. Mary’s decades of support have been essential to Meals on Wheels’ success, and we’re grateful for the stability and compassion they’ve brought to this program,” said MOW program director Amanda de Bock. “As we bring together what St. Mary’s has built with this new transition, it’s our hope more seniors will be served, continuing to make a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults in our community. We appreciate all St. Mary’s and VOA Colorado have done to help make this transition as smooth as possible.” 

As part of the transition, St. Mary’s will continue its commitment to senior nutrition by donating $250,000 to MOW over the next five years, supporting long‑term program sustainability and helping the program reach more seniors in need. 

With more than 45 years of service on the Western Slope, VOA Colorado brings deep local roots and statewide experience to the program. 

VOA Colorado currently supports Meals on Wheels programs in Northern Colorado and the Denver metro area, providing more than 2.2 million meals last year. The organization also offers a range of services to western Colorado communities, including housing and veteran programs. 

“We are honored to carry forward the extraordinary legacy of Meals on Wheels Mesa County and to build upon the strong foundation St. Mary’s has established,” said Dave Schunk, President and CEO of VOA Colorado. “Our priority is clear: to ensure meals remain on the tables of the seniors who depend on them and to sustain this program for years to come. We are deeply committed to this community and to strengthening the relationships and services that help older adults live with dignity and independence.” 

All MOW employees will have the opportunity to transition from employment with St. Mary’s to VOA Colorado to continue supporting the program. The more than 300 volunteers who generously dedicate their time to delivering meals and supporting the program are encouraged to continue their service with VOA Colorado as the program moves forward under the new sponsorship. 

"This transition represents thoughtful planning and a focus on the future. The Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Colorado fully supports Meals on Wheels Mesa County as they begin this new chapter with VOA Colorado,” said Heather Jones, Director of Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Colorado, the oversight agency for Meals on Wheels Mesa County. “We're excited about the leadership and support VOA Colorado will bring, and their shared commitment to the older adults who rely on these meals each day. We are confident this transition will ensure long-term stability and continued service to the community." 

The Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Colorado contracts with Meals on Wheels Mesa County to provide congregate and home-delivered meals funded by the Older Americans Act and the Older Coloradans Act. 

Meals on Wheels Mesa County, St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, and VOA Colorado share a mission to promote independence, health, and well‑being for the community’s most vulnerable populations. This transition ensures that Meals on Wheels will remain strong, sustainable, and poised for future growth in Mesa County.