St. Vincent Meals on Wheels – the charity that does exactly what its name implies. People drive around and deliver food to the elderly or reclusive, which greatly helps the communities that it is involved in.
Founded by Sister Alice Marie Quinn, it has been active for more than 37 years.
Rain or shine, earthquake or meteorites, Meals on Wheels is a very devoted charity.
“We help people who are scared to leave their homes,” said Nelly Llanos Kilroy, who was one of the founders along with Quinn. “Some people were even eating dog food when we first started in those days; they didn’t want to be mugged. This program is necessary.”
On Thursday, Aug. 6, Audi will present the sixth annual Evening on the Beach, a celebration of Meals on Wheels at the Jonathan Beach Club in Santa Monica, featuring some of Los Angeles’ best chefs.
This year’s chef line-up includes Alex Ageneau (aestus Restaurant), Gino Angelini (Angelini Osteria), Jered Standing (Belcampo Meat Co), Genevieve Gergis (Bestia), Jonathan Grahm (Compartes Chocolatier), Ray England and Shannon Swindle (Craft Restaurant), Jared Levy (The Eveleigh), Clark Staub (Full of Life Flatbread), Frankie and Vanessa (Gustus Vitae), Frank Ostini (Hitching Post), Jason McClain and Quentin Collignon (Jonathan Club), Kai Kani (KAI Pop-up), Alec Lestr (Patina), Dahlia Narvaez (Pizzeria and Osteria Mozza), Chris Phelps and Zak Walters (Salt’s Cure), Jessica Koslow (SQIRL Restaurant), Andrew Vaughan (Terranea Resort), Micah Wexler (Wexler’s Deli), and John Lechleidner (WP24).
Specialty wines will be presented by a group of guest vintners including Alta Colina Wines, Ascension Cellars, Beekeeper Cellars, Bonaccorsi Wine Company, Bonny Doon Vineyard, DemiJohn Imports, Dr. Loosen, Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Winery, Holman Cellars, Jordan Vineyard and Winery, Justin Vineyards and Winery, Kalin Cellars, LIOCO Wine, Malibu Vineyards, Melville Vineyards, Pence, Robert Craig Winery, Sevtap Winery, and Symington Family Premium Port Wines.
Specialty cocktails will be served by mixologist/spirit ambassador Marcos Tello of El Silencio Mezcal, in addition to a Chopin Vodka martini bar complete with Petrossian caviar stuffed olives, a Selvarey Rum bar, and a coffee bar by Vittoria Coffee.
On top of that, there will be great music, and it will all be taking place in the sand, where attendees can jam out to their favorite songs after sampling food and drinks.
Also, Lyft is partnering with the event to get attendees safely to and from the party. Proceeds from the shindig will go to help provide more than 4,000 meals to homebound seniors and other reclusive members of L.A. every single day.
Kilroy said she helped start an early version of Meals on Wheels 37 years ago when her friend’s daughter needed help.
“We started it on a very low level, just for fun and helping her, then we raised many millions for a wonderful cause,” Kilroy had to say about it. “Now, my job consists of being a senior and supporting the group forever.”
She is 85 years old. She said she didn’t expect her organization to grow as big as it has, and is delighted to receive support from the press and donors in its endeavors.
Kilroy said they always welcomed new volunteers to deliver meals to clients.
“We always need more, it’s amazing how much we need,” she said.
Meals on Wheels has quite a long history of helping the agoraphobic, be they elderly or not. They host Evening on the Beach as a way of raising much needed funds as a way for them to continue to give back to the community that they are helping.
In any case, this event is one you don’t want to miss. While the tickets are a little steep ($175), it includes free parking, and is worth the money if you want great food and drinks, great music, and supporting a great cause. Tickets are on sale now at eveningonthebeach.com.
