Cedar Rapids Toyota refurbishes vehicle, donates it to Meals on Wheels for new program

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - For nonprofit Meals on Wheels, a new set of wheels is essential. Cedar Rapids Toyota refurbished a 2009 Highlander and donated it to Meals on Wheels.

Meals on Wheels CEO Mike Barnhart said the vehicle will help with the nonprofit’s new program, called “More Than a Meal,” that targets the most vulnerable seniors.

“We’re starting a program called ‘More Than a Meal,’” Barnhart said. “We’re we are trying to do more with particular more with our most vulnerable seniors, so we just hired someone last week as More Than a Meal care coordinator to do additional assessments with clients to be able to do additional services, so she will be using this car.”

Meals on wheels currently uses five cars to deliver food to more than 600 home bound seniors in Linn, Johnson, Iowa, Tama, and Cedar Counties. But it can’t use just any car, they have specific needs, and the All-Wheel Drive SUV donated by Cedar Rapids Toyota fits the bill.

Cedar Rapids Toyota General Sales Manager John Nus said they love to be able to give back to a nonprofit that has helped the community.

“Meals on wheels was selected because of the time we’re in and the need they have for delivering food for shut-ins that we really thought that these Meals on Wheels being a vehicle in a donation situation was perfect for everybody involved,” Nus said.

However, the nonprofit isn’t done getting new wheels. Meals on Wheels has the grant to trade in two of its vans in its neighborhood transfer service, replacing them with fuel-efficient hybrids. Those new vehicles will help the nonprofit save money and help the environment, while ensuring seniors have food to eat.

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