In Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Connell Memorial United Methodist Church has anchored its neighborhood since 1902. On Sundays, about 130 people fill the pews, with nearly 100 more joining online. But on Tuesdays, faith leaves the sanctuary and takes to the streets.
For over a decade, Joe McHenry, the church’s program contact, has led the Meals on Wheels ministry. What started as a way to care for aging church members has grown into a vital lifeline for the broader community. Today, the program delivers meals to about 60 homebound neighbors each week—nearly 80% of them not church members.
They found us online ... We put something on our website that said, ‘ If you’re hungry, give us a call.’ And they did.
“They found us online,” McHenry says. “We put something on our website that said, ‘If you’re hungry, give us a call.’ And they did.” Recipients are primarily older adults unable to cook safely, some using wheelchairs or no longer able to drive. Each Tuesday, volunteers load meals into cars and deliver them door to door. First Baptist Church of Goodlettsville joins on Thursdays, ensuring neighbors are checked on twice a week.
Strengthening the Table
Each meal includes protein, vegetables, bread, and dessert. Five rotating cooking teams—about 30 volunteers—prepare meals one week per month. Many cooks quietly stretched their own budgets to keep portions generous.
Support from the ENCORE Ministry Foundation’s Kent and Ellen McNish Food Security Grant allowed the church to make long-desired improvements. Styrofoam containers, cheap but unsafe for microwaving and environmentally harmful, were replaced with compostable options. Nutritional quality improved too—soups and casseroles now feature stronger portions like whole chicken breasts or solid cuts of beef. Rising gas prices had also burdened volunteer drivers; the grant provided fuel support, ensuring sustainable delivery.
“They’ve been asking for this for years,” McHenry says. “They were ready.”
More Than A Meal
The meals matter—but so do the visits. Drivers often find themselves offering more than food: checking on neighbors, discovering those in need of medical attention, or simply providing companionship. McHenry shares one memorable story: a bedridden father had lost his appetite entirely. After weeks of receiving meals from Connell Memorial, he began eating again and eventually regained enough strength to live without weekly deliveries. “Most of them are just happy to get somebody to come see them,” McHenry says.
Faith in Motion
McHenry never planned to lead the ministry. When the longtime coordinator retired and another helper passed away during the early days of COVID-19, the pastor asked him to step in. Tuesday mornings quickly became sacred: “Not Tuesday,” he says when scheduling requests arise.
Through better nutrition, environmentally responsible practices, and consistent presence, Connell Memorial United Methodist Church shows that longevity and innovation can coexist. A congregation with more than a century of faith continues to meet modern needs, strengthening food security in Goodlettsville—one meal, one visit, one neighbor at a time.
About ENCORE Ministry Foundation
ENCORE Ministry Foundation equips congregations to serve older adults through grants, partnerships, leadership development, and age-friendly church certifications. In 2026, the foundation awarded $100,000 to 20 churches through the Kent and Ellen McNish Food Security Grant, supporting food distribution ministries for older adults facing hunger.
To learn more or support the Food Security Fund, visit encoreministry.org or contact Executive Director John Rivas at.
