THE GOOD MAJORITY: Dietitian to stay involved, volunteer

This new BGNN series in 2026 focuses on the many people in local communities who do good works for others – mostly behind the scenes.

Read about one of the “good majority” of people who quietly make a difference in people’s lives, and learn more about Vantage Aging and Meals on Wheels in the nonprofit organization Q & A.

Do you know a volunteer or an organization you would like to learn more about or share the word about? Email barberton [email protected].

By CHRISTINA McCUNE
BGNN managing editor

“Come and ride along,” says Nora Logsdon, a dietitian and project development manager at Meals on Wheels, inviting anyone to see what delivering for the organization is all about.

After 40 years, the Barberton resident has retired from Meals on Wheels. This past year, she was recognized for her work with two awards: Employee of Distinction from Goodwill and Senior Circle from Direction Home.

One of the top accomplishments of her career included spearheading a $1.5 million centralized kitchen built in Massillon to transform how meals were made for the growing organization. But it’s all the stories of her own experiences and those of other staff members and volunteers who made a difference in countless people’s lives that really rise to the top.

In her retirement, Logsdon plans to continue helping the organization as needed and ultimately she would like to continue to volunteer for Meals on Wheels.

Logsdon is a graduate of Barberton High School and the University of Akron where she earned a bachelor’s of science degree in dietetics. A professor recommended her for an open position as a dietitian at a catered program, which was part of United Way in Canton at the time and she interviewed and landed the job right out of college.

“It really really was my niche,” she said.

Later, the program was named Meals on Wheels of Stark & Wayne Counties and in 2019 merged with VANTAGE Aging to create Meals on Wheels of Northeast Ohio. Logsdon has continued to help the organization grow and serve more people. She was part of planning the commercial kitchen in Massillon so the organization could create and provide their own meals instead of depending on a caterer. It was a big step for the organization and the kitchen continues to be in use as Meals on Wheels has grown “by leaps and bounds,” Logsdon said.

Initially, meals were provided for Stark and Wayne County residents. Now, the organization has grown to serve Summit and Portage and surrounding counties. Meals on Wheels provides more than 1,000 meals a day along 45 routes per day.

Logsdon officially retired at the end of the year but she will continue to be involved to fill in as needed and ultimately would like to continue as a volunteer.

“I can honestly say that to my last day I still love what I do,” she said.

Logsdon said volunteering for Meals on Wheels runs in her family. Her siblings have volunteered and nieces began volunteering at a young age. Logsdon said her parents would go along with her sister to help deliver.

“My family has totally been involved in everything I have done,” Logsdon said.

Logsdon said after 40 years she can say she has likely worked in almost every position and aspect of the agency.

“When you’re with a not-for-profit you wear many hats,” she said.

She said everyone steps up to make sure everything is completed that needs to get done. She said no matter how crazy the day may be, at the end of the day as long as everyone got fed that’s all that matters.

“We have a lot of moving parts,” she said. “Besides providing a meal to our clients we do a daily safety check.”

Those who deliver meals get to know their clients and they have emergency contacts on file and make it a point to check on the person. Logsdon has stories where a volunteer delivering a meal may have saved someone’s life. Logsdon herself has a story where she arrived at a home and found the client on the floor and instead of calling for help the woman told Logsdon she knew her Meals on Wheels delivery person was on the way so she waited for her to arrive.

“They knew we would be there,” she said. “That happens so many times: ‘I knew my volunteer was coming.’ ‘I knew my meal was coming and whoever brought my meal would be able to help me.’”

Another meal delivery person has a story where he found a client had fallen and had been on the floor through the weekend and fortunately he was able to help the woman in time. On a brighter note, Logsdon said clients become close friends and like family to drivers and those who deliver and she said one volunteer came back and said he enjoyed finding out his kindergarten teacher was on his route and she recognized him immediately.

The majority of drivers are volunteer and the organization has more than 250 volunteers.

“And it’s not enough,” she said.

Logsdon said meals are delivered Monday through Friday based on clients’ needs and they may be fresh or frozen. They work with clients and families to accommodate what works best and they also work with families to pay for the meals. The full cost of a meal is $7.75 and funding from the federal government allows them to provide meals on a donation basis. Some individuals privately pay, Medicaid pays for some and other funding comes through from other sources as well as donations.

“One of the things right now that really weighs on us all is we have a waiting list of almost 200 people we are not able to provide service to because of funding,” she said. “We have to manage and work to do what we can to try to provide service. Ideally we would love everyone on that list not to be there. The funding is such we don’t have another option at this point.”

Primarily, Meals on Wheels is a donation program for clients ages 60 and older but the agency provides service to individuals of all ages.
Logsdon encourages anyone to take a ride on a delivery route.

“It’s amazing I’ve always said that the best way for us to recruit volunteers is for somebody to come and ride along and usually they’re hooked once they do that,” she said.

A route in Barberton began over a year ago and now has enough of a volunteer base to serve hot meals Monday through Friday.

“We work with individuals and family to give them what will support them,” Logsdon said. “For a lot of individuals getting a meal is what’s keeping them in their home.”

Meals on Wheels also has a pet food program completely run by donations. It was discovered that some people shared the meals they received with their pets, so some volunteers are able to provide food to help support pets in the home.

“It sounds cliche that we provide more than a meal – but we really do,” Logsdon said.

Logsdon encourages people to get involved at Meals on Wheels and any of the many organizations in the area.

“If it’s not with us there are many not-for-profits in the area in town and no matter how much time they can give they can make a difference. I don’t think people should do things because it makes them feel good. I’m doing things because I want to improve and help and assist others. It’s not about me. It’s about what I can do to make somebody else’s life just a little bit happier.”

Logsdon said that for the majority of their clients they deliver to, the volunteer or staff member may be the only person they see on a daily basis.

“I’ve always said our volunteers are just a different group of individuals. They are so committed to what we do and the people they are serving. They’re right there for whatever needs to be done. … It’s really been great I can’t thank the Vantage team enough for giving me the opportunity. It’s been fun.”