Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley, Inc., was celebrated as the 2025 Non-Profit of the Year Honoree by the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce “Legacy of Leadership” event on October 10th. Regina Gage, MOWSV President/ CEO accepted the award.

MOWSV was awarded the honor for our unrelenting commitment to the community. For 53 years, MOWSV has supported and nourished seniors through our home-delivered meals program. More recently, we have grown to offer congregate meals and senior social lunch programs. In 2021, we expanded our impact by launching SOCOS (South County Senior Socials)—monthly gatherings offering lunch, music, activities, and community connection. The program’s success quickly grew to include Soledad, King City, Greenfield, and Castroville (NOCOS – North County Senior Social). Expanding the program to serve more communities, our newest socials include two sites in Salinas named SASSO (SAlinas Senior SOcials) and in Marina named MASSO (MArina Senior SOcial). Now, in 2025, socials total seven monthly across Monterey County. MOWSV’s plan to help end senior isolation and hunger, very prevalent in our area, by starting these socials, has provided seniors not only with a free lunch but access to local nonprofit resources and fresh produce through our partnership with the Food Bank for Monterey County. Widely praised by seniors, elected officials, and community leaders, the senior social lunch program has become a vital source of joy, health, and connection for seniors.

We are honored to be recognized for the contributions MOWSV has provided to the Salinas Valley.