Ralph Morris, 90, Delivers Food to Needy for Meals on Wheels

90-year--old Ralph Morris delivers food each week for his local Meals on Wheels non-profit branch.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on February 08 2011

For close to 30 years, Ralph Morris has been getting in his car every Friday morning to deliver prepared meals to the elderly through the non-profit Meals on Wheels. But these days, when he greets residents, he finds that most of them are younger than him.

He recalls a visit several years ago, when a woman in her mid-70s told him she was “just no good.” “You’re just a kid,” he replied. He was already in his late 80s then—and now, he’s crossed the threshold of his 90th birthday.

Morris has lived in the Aliquippa, Pennylvania area all his life. He served as manager of power and utilities at a local steel mill until he retired in 1982. He and his wife Dorothy lived in the house he built in 1943 for more than 60 years. In 1995, though, Dorothy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and began a long, slow decline. She finally passed away in 2008. “I took care of her,” he told the Beaver Times. “She did pretty well.”

The couple would have celebrated their 70th anniversary last month. Even though Morris now lives alone, he’s not lonely. Each Friday, his deliveries are met by grateful neighbors. They appreciate the food he provides them, which they are no longer able to prepare on their own—and they’re also inspired to see someone his age still serving his community.

Despite his advancing age, Morris has no intention to stop his deliveries. Chances are, Aliquippa residents will be welcoming this Meals on Wheels volunteer to their door for a long time to come.

Filed under: Heroes, Non-Profits,

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