A Little Help. A Lasting Difference.

How the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana is helping older residents maintain their independence: one meal and one meaningful connection at a time

For much of our lives, we see our parents and grandparents as superheroes.

They’re the ones who make sure dinner is on the table, help us through life’s challenges, and somehow always seem to have the answers. They’re our caregivers, our biggest supporters, and the people we count on when we need a helping hand.

But as the years pass, those roles eventually begin to change.

The parents who once took care of everyone else may find themselves needing a little assistance of their own. Everyday tasks become more challenging, and the independence they’ve enjoyed for decades can become harder to maintain.

For 82-year-old Claire Williams, that reality has arrived gradually. But thanks to a little help from her family, local nonprofits, and the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana, she’s continuing to enjoy life in the place she’s always called home.

A Lifetime of Memories, Right at Home

Tucked into an established New Albany neighborhood, where modest family homes have stood for generations, is a house filled with more than six decades of memories.

Claire has lived there for 62 years. She raised her family, built relationships, and watched the world around her change, all while remaining rooted in the community she’s called home her entire life.

And she has no intention of leaving anytime soon.

Claire still drives herself around town when she can, enjoys attending church, and looks forward to spending time with friends and family. She’ll occasionally treat herself to boneless barbecue chicken wings at Derby City Pizza, saving the accompanying salad for dinner later.

She also enjoys a good Dolly Parton television special, especially when it gives her an excuse to stay up a little later.

But some things aren’t as easy as they once were.

Standing at the stove long enough to prepare a meal has become particularly difficult. Recent falls have also reminded Claire and her family that even familiar surroundings can present challenges as we grow older.

Her daughters and son help whenever possible, and caregivers visit during the week to assist with household chores and appointments. Still, Claire values being able to do things for herself.

“I feel like I can do a lot of things others my age can’t,” she said.

It’s a determination that has served her well. And with the right support, it’s one she hopes to maintain.

More Than a Meal

For the past few years, Claire has received nutritious, ready-to-heat meals through LifeSpan Resources’ Meals on Wheels program.

Each week, seven meals arrive at her door, providing convenient options that eliminate the need to spend long periods standing in the kitchen. All meals are prepared locally by Masterson’s Catering of Louisville. The program also offers food tailored to special dietary needs, helping older adults maintain proper nutrition.

Claire has developed a few favorites over the years, including shepherd’s pie, beef Marsala, and spaghetti. But the meals themselves are only part of what makes the program special.

Just as important is Keri, the delivery driver Claire has come to know and trust.

Keri brings the meals inside, helps put refrigerated items away, and takes a few precious moments to visit and catch-up. What might seem like a small gesture has become a meaningful part of Claire’s week.

“She is wonderful. I can’t say enough about her,” Claire said.

For older adults who spend much of their time alone, that familiar face can make all the difference.

“I don’t know how I would manage without these meals,” Claire said. “I just can’t stand and cook. I haven’t been able to do that for a while. So getting these meals really is a godsend for me.”

And while Claire has a supportive family nearby, not every older resident has that same network of care. For some, a Meals on Wheels delivery may be the only personal interaction they experience that day.

Investing in the People Behind the Numbers

Stories like Claire’s are at the heart of the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana’s mission.

Through its grantmaking, CFSI works to strengthen the nonprofit organizations serving Clark and Floyd counties, helping ensure that important programs and services reach the people who need them most.

In July 2026, CFSI awarded $25,000 to LifeSpan Resources to support its Meals on Wheels program, providing nutritious meals, wellness checks, and meaningful social connections for homebound older adults.

The investment continues a longstanding commitment to the program. Since 2012, CFSI has awarded $49,227 in support of LifeSpan’s Meals on Wheels services, including its most recent grant.

For more than 50 years, LifeSpan Resources has helped older adults remain connected to their communities. Through its longstanding partnership with Mastersons, the organization delivers an average of approximately 74,000 home-delivered, ready-to-heat meals annually throughout its service area.

But the program’s impact extends far beyond nutrition.

A knock at the door can provide reassurance. A familiar conversation can ease loneliness. And a week’s worth of meals can help someone remain safely and comfortably in the home they love.

These are the kinds of outcomes CFSI strives to support through its grantmaking. Because behind every grant award is a person, a family, or a neighbor whose life can be changed for the better.

Different Needs. A Shared Commitment.

Of course, the challenges facing older residents don’t always look the same.

For Claire, having meals delivered directly to her door helps overcome the physical limitations that make cooking difficult. For someone else, the greatest challenge may be getting to the grocery store in the first place.

That’s why CFSI is also investing $2.45 million to expand affordable, accessible public transportation throughout Clark and Floyd counties.

Through a two-year partnership with Blue River Services and its Blue River Transportation program, the initiative is designed to help residents reach grocery stores, medical appointments, employment opportunities, and other essential destinations.

While Meals on Wheels brings food directly to people who need it, expanded public transportation can help others get out into the community and access those necessities for themselves.

These aren’t competing solutions. They’re complementary approaches to a shared challenge.

And together, they illustrate something important about the nonprofit sector: meaningful community progress rarely comes from a single organization or program. It comes from identifying needs, building partnerships, and finding practical ways to remove barriers that prevent people from living healthy, fulfilling lives.

By investing in both established nonprofit programs and innovative community initiatives, CFSI is helping create a stronger network of support for residents of all ages.

The Freedom to Keep Living Independently

Back at her New Albany home, Claire is looking forward to another Thanksgiving surrounded by family.

She’s hoping to make her family’s favorite corn casserole, a holiday tradition she isn’t quite ready to give up. It may take a little more effort than it once did, and she may need some help along the way, but she’s determined to give it a try.

It’s a small moment that says a great deal about the importance of independence.

For Claire, growing older hasn’t meant giving up the things she loves. It has meant finding new ways to keep doing them, with a little help from the people and programs around her.

And that’s what community philanthropy is ultimately about.

Whether it’s a nutritious meal delivered with a friendly smile, a ride to the grocery store, or a grant that helps a nonprofit reach more neighbors, the Community Foundation of Southern Indiana is working to make everyday life a little easier for people throughout Clark and Floyd counties.

Because sometimes, making a lasting difference doesn’t require changing someone’s entire world. Sometimes, it simply means helping them stay in the one they’ve spent a lifetime building.