Sr. Alice Marie Quinn

“In the beginning, it was just us and a few pots of stew.  But the response was tremendous, and it became impossible to ignore the great need in the community.  Over the years it became so much more than plates of food; it became friendship, family and nourishment for the soul.”   — Sister Alice Marie

Sister Alice Marie Quinn, Daughter of Charity and a Registered Dietitian, was the founder and Executive Director of St. Vincent Meals on Wheels until her death in 2017. Under her leadership, St. Vincent Meals on Wheels became the largest privately funded Meals on Wheels program in America.

Sister Alice Marie, affectionately known as SAM, relied on the Vincentian Values of the Daughters of Charity as she grew a program that was rooted in love for the seniors she served. Respect, simplicity, compassionate service, advocacy for the poor, and inventiveness to infinity –the program today remains true to the values that guide our service of food and love.

Sister Alice Marie received her Bachelor of Science degree from St. Mary’s Dominican College in New Orleans.

The Beginning

Immediately prior to founding St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, Sister worked with the St. Vincent Medical Center as assistant director of its dietary department. She found that many poor and elderly people who lived in apartments near the hospital didn’t eat properly or regularly. And she noticed that their physical and mental well-being suffered as a result.

So Sister, determined to make a difference, and following the Vincentian charism and values of advocacy for the poor and compassionate service, made a pot of stew one evening in 1977 for 83 seniors at a local church hall. That single selfless act led to the St. Vincent Senior Citizen Nutrition Program, which after serving 100 meal clients each day, expanded into St. Vincent Meals on Wheels.

Notable Accolades

  • Awarded the MedAssets Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2006
  • Recipient of the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) Silver Plate Award in 2006, for outstanding achievement in Specialty Food Services
  • 2013 Los Angeles City Council declared the day before Thanksgiving as St. Vincent Meals on Wheels Day in L.A.
  • Recipient of the Susan B. Anthony Award 2014
  • Named “Irish Woman of the Year” in 2005 by the City of Los Angeles
  • Named “Outstanding Professional for the Year” at National Philanthropy Day in Los Angeles, 1992
  • Named “Humanitarian of the Year” by the City of Hope in 1991
  • Recipient of the Don Perkins Award of the Public Relations Society of America, Los Angeles Chapter, for outstanding community service in 1991
  • Named “Woman of the Year” in 1988 by the State of California
  • Cited for her “devotion to serving those in need” in the Congressional Record dated January 23, 1984 by the House of Representatives

Sr. Alice Marie Quinn’s Legacy

In addition to leading St. Vincent Meals on Wheels, Sister served on several boards of directors, and volunteered for various charitable organizations. She was a past president of Meals on Wheels America taking her advocacy for seniors to a national level.

For more than 50 years, Sister relied on her faith, the Vincentian values of the Daughters of Charity, and a healthy dose of drive and determination to serve our neighbors in need.

Throughout her life, Sister remained humble and dedicated to her mission. She was always quick to point out, “I am only helping to deliver what God provides. Fortunately, many volunteers and donors are also helping. Without their support, we would not have this program.”

Today St. Vincent Meals on Wheels prepares and delivers over 100,000 meals per month to homebound seniors in need, across Los Angeles.