Volunteer Spotlight: Shade Salami
Recently, Bread Basket editors sat down for a conversation with SVMOW supporter Shade (“shah-day”) Salami. Not only has she begun to volunteer with the organization, she also has the perspective of a family caregiver as both her mother, Ruby Salami and her father, Clement Salami, received meals from SVMOW. Though both her parents are gone now, a relationship to SVMOW had been forged that has deepened over time.
Q: How did you come to get more involved with SVMOW? I received the newsletter and saw last summer that there would be an event at Paramount Studios, Hollywood Under the Stars, that sounded like a lot of fun. I called up Christine and offered to help in my mother’s honor. Then over the holidays, they needed help in the Kitchen, so I was able to help out there, too.
I really wanted to lend my support because I know how much my parents appreciated the meals and the daily visits by the friendly volunteers. It was never just a meal delivery service; quite often they would greet my mother with an encouraging word, sometimes sitting and visiting.
Q: Do you think the personal connection prompted your interest in supporting the organization? Absolutely! My mom loved it, especially the young volunteers. And my dad really enjoyed the food. He had been a Paris-trained chef and could really throw down in the kitchen, so he appreciated a good meal. After he had a stroke, the doctor ordered meals for him.
Q: You never know where life will take you, or your parents…That’s right. Until just a few years earlier, my father was still riding a bike; he had traveled internationally, including several trips to Africa. After illness sidelined my mother, she was still positive, reading Scripture for inspiration; she was so full of life. She would say, “as long as I have breath in my body, let me give God some praise.” She is my inspiration!
Q: What do you think is unique about St. Vincent Meals on Wheels? I think what stands out is how they treat the clients with such humanity. There’s never any pressure to contribute financially to the meals, and they include so many nice gestures, like gift bags with toiletries at the holidays.
I actually have a divinity degree and worked as a chaplain in Oklahoma. The programs I worked with had many Meals on Wheels recipients and they always
pressed clients for their contributions. This is very different from what I observed with St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. They understand that older people sometimes have to make choices between whether they will eat or their dog will eat, whether to pay the bills or pay for medication. It’s a challenge.
I also appreciated, since I was living away from California, that someone was looking in on my mother, and that they didn’t just drop off the food outside the door. The volunteers know it’s important to check on the elderly. Once my mother had left on the gas and a volunteer smelled it and turned it off for her.
Q: What would you say to potential volunteers to encourage them to get involved with St. Vincent Meals on Wheels? It’s very rewarding to help seniors that need help, whether they know it or not! It’s a blessing to give of your time and yourself. Seeing my mom’s face light up when she saw the friendly volunteer at the door was worth everything to me.
