Page 29 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2018- Online Magazine

HONORING J.T. & MARGARET

T ALKINGT ON

Keeping Meals ROLLING INTO THE FUTURE

on Wheels BY LISA GILLILAND

Lubbock Meals on Wheels is honored to have received friend, Myrna Verna, delivered together for many
two grants from the J.T. & Margaret Talkington years. Margaret was a true servant. She cared about
Charitable Foundation, allowing us to expand and the clients she delivered meals to, often taking extra
renovate our current facility. This project is in the homemade treats to them. She delivered on a regular
final stages; we look forward to hosting an open schedule, regardless of weather or personal plans,
house in the next couple of months. Prior to the not just when it was convenient. Margaret was
expansion, our facility had not seen any substantial committed to our mission and to our community.
improvements in seventeen years. The number of We know she would be so proud that something
people we serve is growing, but we were unable to so personal and important to her will continue to
increase our space to prepare meals, store food, park make a difference, thanks to her generosity. We had
vehicles, and accommodate volunteers and staff. We the pleasure of getting to know Margaret when she
were completely out of room, not only to meet the volunteered here. We are honored to share the J.T. &
current needs of our community but also to be able to Margaret Talkington Volunteer Center and the rest of
handle future needs. our renovated building with the Lubbock community.
Thank you to J.T. and Margaret and the Foundation
Thanks to the first generous grant from the J.T. & for all they have done to make Lubbock a better place.
Margaret Talkington Foundation in 2014, we were
able to purchase a neighboring property, demolish
the building on that property, and hire an architect
and construction company to begin our expansion
and renovation plans. The following year, we
received another grant from the foundation that
allowed those plans to become a reality. We
broke ground in May of 2016 on what is now a
15,000-square-foot facility - more than doubling our
kitchen and freezer space, food storage capacity,
volunteer center, meeting areas, and work and
office areas. We will have the space needed to
feed the over 770 clients we now serve, as well as
accommodate growing needs well into the future.
Even during ongoing construction, we have been
able to add two delivery routes and to plan a third
route soon. Without this expansion, these clients
would have been placed on a waiting list until
room was available. Now we are able to fully fulfill
our mission of keeping our homebound neighbors
well-fed and independent. This would have not
been possible without the support from the J.T. &
Margaret Talkington Charitable Foundation.

The Talkingtons have left a monumental legacy in
our community. Their generosity has touched so
many agencies in Lubbock – helping thousands
of people. For Lubbock Meals on Wheels, their
gift is even more special. Margaret was one of our
dedicated delivery volunteers. She and her dear

Lubbock Senior Link 29