Join us this holiday season in supporting seniors across Durham County!
Our Holiday Programs offer meaningful ways to make a direct impact—from delivering festive Thanksgiving meals to donating or wrapping gifts that brighten the days of our cherished clients.
Whether you volunteer your time or contribute a donation, your support helps bring warmth, joy, and connection to older adults who might otherwise spend the holidays alone. Together, we can make sure every senior feels remembered and cared for.
Get involved today and make this season unforgettable!
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Thanksgiving meal delivery
Join us for a heartwarming morning of giving back! On November 27th, Meals on Wheels Durham is partnering with The Durham Rescue Mission again to deliver hot, delicious Thanksgiving meals to our cherished seniors. Kick off your holiday morning with gratitude, love, and a touch of holiday magic—don’t worry, you'll finish before the football games and your own Thanksgiving feast! This is a perfect opportunity for families, friends, and coworkers to bond while making a meaningful impact in our community. Be part of this turkey-filled tradition and help spread joy to those who need it most!
Event Details:
Date: November 27, 2025
Time: 9 am - Noon
Meal Pick Up: Durham Rescue Mission (1201 E Main St, Durham, NC)
We're looking for 50 dedicated drivers to make this event a success. Come be a part of this special holiday tradition!
Email Carrie Moses, MOWD's Volunteer Impact Coordinator, at carrie@mowdurham.org if you are interested in volunteering.
Volunteers will pick up meals at The Durham Rescue Mission building, located at 1201 East Main Street, Durham, NC 27701 between 9:00 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 27. Meals will be loaded into vehicles starting at 10 am for MOWD volunteers.
Route details will go live on the Mobile Meals App the morning of delivery.
If a client is not home to deliver meals, volunteers can leave a message of delivery attempt, and can give extra meals to the next client.
Holiday Gift Program
Spread Holiday Cheer with Meals on Wheels Durham! This December, every Meals on Wheels Durham client will unwrap a thoughtful gift personally selected from our curated list–thanks to the generosity of neighbors like you. Our goal is to deliver 475 gifts before Christmas, and your support will help us make it happen!
To ensure every senior receives their holiday surprise on time, please join us in one of the following ways:
- Donate $30 to provide a wrapped, personalized gift for a local senior.
- Adopt a Route and help fulfill gift wishes for several clients.
- Volunteer at one of our festive wrapping parties in early December.
Help us reach our goal by December 3, so we can begin deliveries the following week. Together, we can make this holiday season brighter for Durham’s seniors!
Bring extra cheer to our seniors this season by adopting one or more delivery routes and sponsoring gifts for the clients along those routes.
Once you sign up, we’ll share each client’s gift wish so you can choose how you’d like to participate:
- Donate funds — and our team will purchase, wrap, and deliver the gifts for you.
- Shop directly — receive your clients’ gift selections and purchase the gifts yourself through our Amazon Wish List.
To get started, please email Abagail Dawkins, Operations & Logistics Lead, at abagial@mowdurham.org to receive your list of clients, their gift selections, and the total cost for your route.
Please have all gifts delivered to our office by December 3 so our elves (a.k.a. volunteers!) can ensure every senior receives their presents in time for Christmas.
Share the Joy This Holiday Season! A $30 donation provides a thoughtful, beautifully wrapped gift for a senior in our community — a small gesture that brings big smiles and holiday cheer. You can donate online, by cash, or by check (please note “Holiday Gift Program” in the memo line).
Your gift of giving:
- $30 = One joy-filled gift for a senior
- $300 = Grants holiday wishes for 10 seniors
- $600 = Spreads cheer to 20 homes across Durham
Every dollar helps brighten the holidays for the seniors we serve. Together, let’s make this season truly magical!
Holiday Volunteering
Join us in making this holiday season extra special for homebound seniors. As a volunteer, you can be the reason for their smiles and warmth during this festive time. Your efforts will bring holiday cheer and connection to those who might otherwise spend this season alone or far from loves ones. Help us make their holidays brighter by dedicating your time and spreading joy to those in need.
Our holiday shop fills up with gifts for clients, and MOWD relies on the help of volunteer elves to work some magic with ribbons and bows!
Throughout early December, Meals on Wheels Durham hosts on-site gift-wrapping parties. You and a group of coworkers and friends can join in, wrapping gifts to the cheerful tunes of holiday music. Simply reach out to Carrie Moses, Volunteer Impact Coordinator, at carrie@mowdurham.org to sign up.
After the gifts are wrapped and delivered—it's time to eat!
Since 1980, MOWD and the Judea Reform Congregation have come together to provide a hot, festive meal to our clients around Christmas. This year's Christmas meal delivery day will be announced soon.
If you or a group are interested in delivering these special holiday meals, please get in touch with Carrie Moses, Volunteer Impact Coordinator, at carrie@mowdurham.org.