Q&A with Jenni Edwards, Operations Coordinator
Whether you’re a volunteer or client, everybody knows Jenni at Meal on Wheels of Lee’s Summit!
If you haven’t met Jenni Edwards, she is the cheerful voice on the phone walking new clients through the process, the smiling face welcoming our kitchen and delivery drivers. Jenni is the one behind the scenes who organizes routes, double-checks allergy accommodations, schedules volunteers, tucks trivia questions into meals and coordinates with local schools and scout troops to ensure our clients receive holiday cards from their community. Jenni is the responsive staff member that drivers reach out to when clients don’t answer the door, the person who makes sure emergency contacts are notified, and, if necessary, sends Lee’s Summit’s finest to help. Meals on Wheels of Lee’s Summit is grateful for Jenni’s marvelous work ethic and love for her community. She truly is the hub of our operation that rallies 150 volunteers and serves over 600 meals each week! We’re excited to help everyone get to know Jenni even better.
Q: How long have you been with MOW of LS, and what did you do before you joined us?
A: I began as the Operations Coordinator of MOW of LS in January 2021, so I have been in this position for over 2 years. In my "previous life", I was a speech-language pathologist for several years, mostly working with children, and also spent a few years as a primarily stay-at-home-parent with my own kiddos.
Q: Tell us a little about your family.
A: I have been married to Jake for nearly 13 years, and we have two kids: Hadley is 8 and Ben is 6. We live in downtown LS and love being able to walk to the shops and farmers’ market! In my spare time, I enjoy baking, gardening and being a PTA officer at our school.
Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
A: The most rewarding part of my job is watching the relationships develop between our volunteers and the clients they serve. They truly care so much! Additionally, I'm so glad we can be there for our clients and their families when emergency situations arise, such as when a client has fallen.
Q: How have you witnessed organizational change during your time with us?
A: I have really seen our partnerships within the community grow over the past few years. We have so many organizations who have supported us in various ways, like financial assistance, creating goody bags for clients and volunteers, and students who have created artwork and cards. Meals on Wheels truly involves so many in our community!
Q: What new areas of growth are you excited about?
A: It is really fun to have students off school during the summer who volunteer with their parents and grandparents to deliver meals. Our clients love seeing kiddos during their day- it brings big smiles to their faces!
I am very blessed to be a part of Meals on Wheels of LS. Our volunteers make it so easy- they are always willing to help when I ask (or sometimes before I ask!). And as a "Type A" sort of person, I love the organizing and preparing that goes along with this job! It's been a great fit!
