Become a Volunteer Meal Driver: Just 2 Hours a Week

Meals on Wheels for Northern Illinois

For thousands of older adults across Illinois, a knock at the door is more than just a food delivery—it is a vital lifeline. At Meals on Wheels for Northern Illinois (MOWFNI), we are dedicated to helping our senior neighbors live independently, safely, and with dignity in the homes they love. We achieve this through nutritious food, wellness checks, and the power of human connection, but we cannot do it alone. The Power of Our Volunteers Our volunteers are the heartbeat of MOWFNI. If you have just two hours a week to spare, you can make a profound difference. Delivering meals fits seamlessly into a midday routine or lunch break. As a volunteer driver, you do far more than hand over a meal; you provide a friendly smile, a warm conversation, and a crucial safety check for a senior who might not see anyone else that day. We offer flexible scheduling that allows you to volunteer weekly, monthly, or as part of a team with coworkers or friends. Our Core Programs: Home-Delivered Meals: We provide hot, medically tailored, and nutritious meals delivered directly to the doorsteps of those who cannot cook or shop for themselves. Community Cafes: Beyond home delivery, our vibrant Community Cafes offer a welcoming space for active older adults to gather, enjoy a delicious lunch, socialize, and build meaningful friendships that combat senior isolation. Make a Local Impact Today When you support or volunteer with MOWFNI, you are directly investing in the health and happiness of older adults right here in our neighborhood. Whether you are looking to give back during retirement, connect with your community, or get your local business involved in a meaningful cause, there is a place for you in our volunteer family. Join us in delivering more than a meal. Visit mowfni.org/volunteer-sign-up to fill out a brief volunteer application, or call us today to learn how you can start changing lives—one hour, one smile, and one senior at a time.

Will County

Andrea Earnest

Chicago Metropolitan Area

Bolingbrook

Illinois

For thousands of older adults across Illinois, a knock at the door is more than just a food delivery—it is a vital lifeline. At Meals on Wheels for...

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL - A Chicago Heights firefighter faces felony charges on allegations he misused Chicago Heights Fire Department money. Michael Janusek was charged with one count of theft and one count of official misconduct when Chicago Heights police arrested him at 4:25 p.m. on Jan. 25, Chicago Heights Police Chief Thomas Rogers said in a statement. Rogers said that approximately $6,000 worth of merchandise may have been purchased for unauthorized use with the Foreign Fire Tax Fund money, which he says was dispensed without the approval of the fund's board of directors. Janusek, an engineer, is alleged to have had access to the funds. The arrest followed a month-long investigation by the CHPD's detective division, police said. A <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-chicago-heights-firefighter-charged-st-0201-story.html?fbclid=IwAR3igm-lSfGl7qJomDL0vB2xXDaxojhriuYiG5PecqQKuFkl4Nrg-HqkWsU" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">lawyer for Janusek says his client has denied</a> any wrongdoing, the Daily Southtown reports. Patch file photo / Tim Moran

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL - A Chicago Heights firefighter faces felony charges on allegations he misused Chicago Heights Fire Department money. Michael Janusek was charged with one count of theft and one count of official misconduct when Chicago Heights police arrested him at 4:25 p.m. on Jan. 25, Chicago Heights Police Chief Thomas Rogers said in a statement.

Rogers said that approximately $6,000 worth of merchandise may have been purchased for unauthorized use with the Foreign Fire Tax Fund money, which he says was dispensed without the approval of the fund's board of directors. Janusek, an engineer, is alleged to have had access to the funds. The arrest followed a month-long investigation by the CHPD's detective division, police said.

A <a href="https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/news/ct-sta-chicago-heights-firefighter-charged-st-0201-story.html?fbclid=IwAR3igm-lSfGl7qJomDL0vB2xXDaxojhriuYiG5PecqQKuFkl4Nrg-HqkWsU" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">lawyer for Janusek says his client has denied</a> any wrongdoing, the Daily Southtown reports. Patch file photo / Tim Moran

Cook County

Lauren Traut

Chicago Heights

Chicago Heights Firefighter Arrested

Michael Janusek, an engineer with the Chicago Heights Fire Department, has been charged with theft and official misconduct.