WARREN - With the theme ''Volunteering Leaves You Smiling,'' Trumbull Mobile Meals was smiling as its many volunteers and donors helped the agency deal with some challenges this year.
CEO Sandra Mathews said it was a challenging year with a bad economy, challenged menu diet plans and a ceiling that fell in because of a leaking roof.
Mathews said friends stepped up to help pay for the roof.
"Many obstacles were met and conquered. Due to the kindness and generosity of our friends and volunteers, we were still able to ensure that no person goes hungry in your community," she said.
Jean Schlecht, who co-founded TMM 42 years ago, said this is the first time the agency has served more than 300 people.
"It has always been a goal of ours to reach 300. With the help of the senior levy, we finally broke the 300 mark," Mathews said.
''Who would have thought we would still be delivering meals 42 years later? ... The one thing that never changes is the commitment of the volunteers,'' Schlecht said.
She said 300 people get meals five days a week thanks to the volunteers.
Mathews said TMM will continue to build on the solid foundation and explore new possibilities to sustain the nutrition services.
Gussie Reed, board of directors chairwoman, said the continued gift of volunteers' time, vehicle and devotion helps ensure that no person goes hungry in the community.
"As a volunteer you will always be number one with the TMM,'' she said.
Special recognitions at the event included:
Marsha Schneider Award was presented to Kevin Masterson, a driver who is involved with the TMM golf fundraiser, Gussie Reed, board chairperson for the past two years who is involved with many aspects of TMM, and Monica Reese, a packer who works extra each week, all for their dedicated service. The award honors volunteers with at least five years or more service, willingness to do extra beyond already scheduled duties and doing special service;
Philanthropist of the Year award to John and Janet Cafaro for their work in the community and with TMM;
TMM Fundraiser of the Year award to Thom and Jackie Duma for their involvement with the annual basket raffle which raised $30,00 last year;
Forty-year awards to Evelyn Carbone and JoAnn Dalessandro; 35 years to David Snyder; 25 years to Keith Bowser and Hema Patel; 20 years to Jon Barnhart and Richard Lytle; and 15 years to Bill Conlon, Janet Cook, Verna Flack, James Franklin and Bruce and Edyth Hartz.