Gwena’s Full Story
Gwena Mason began delivering meals for Food & Friends in 2016 and from the very beginning, she fully dedicated herself to our clients and mission.
Her greatest gift has been delivering three days a week to our clients in Oxon Hill and Forest Heights, MD with upwards of 15 clients a day. She takes her job seriously, going above and beyond her duties delivering meals. She has built close relationships with the clients on her route, truly putting the “Friend” in Food & Friends. She has helped clients procure furniture when they have been in need, called Habitat for Humanity to assist in a client’s home maintenance, and alerted us and our clients’ caseworkers to potentially unsafe conditions.
Having delivered to 1,198 client homes in 2018 alone, and driven over 2,200 miles (that’s as many miles as D.C to Salt Lake City!), the quality and the quantity of her dedication know no bounds.
In addition to her regular weekly delivery shifts, Gwena has volunteered during Thanksgiving week to assist with food preparation, delivered meals to clients on Thanksgiving Day, and delivered Turkey Boxes (uncooked Thanksgiving meal ingredients) in Charles County to ensure our farther away clients have the time and means to host their families for the holiday.
Gwena is also no stranger to our special events. From selling and personally delivering pies during Slice of Life, to assisting with Chef’s Best and Dining Out For Life, she always gives her time to support every event season. She has also testified on behalf of Food & Friends to the Prince George’s County Council to advocate for important grant funding.
Through her dedication to our clients and our mission, she has exemplified what it means to volunteer at Food & Friends. In 2019, we were honored to present Gwena with our Above and Beyond Award, given at our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Awards. Thank you, Gwena for all that you do for our clients battling serious illnesses.
Want to join our volunteer team? Learn more on our volunteer page or email us for more information!