Whitney Marti has been volunteering with Cabarrus Meals on Wheels in Concord, N.C., for more than a decade, but the delivery she remembers most was her very first.

In December 2010, she arrived at a modest yet well-kept home, where a “sweet, soft-spoken” senior greeted her at the front door. As Whitney stepped inside, she noticed fine china neatly arranged on the kitchen peninsula and a cake on the counter. 

The woman, who clearly had anticipated guests, offered Whitney a cup of hot tea and asked if she might sit for a while. Though she had more deliveries to make, Whitney stayed as long as she could, listening as the woman told stories about her life.   

“She was so lonely,” Whitney said. “It was heartbreaking.”

In the coming weeks, Whitney learned that the senior had Alzheimer’s disease and struggled to remember details from day to day. While the woman always knew someone from Meals on Wheels would be visiting, she couldn’t recall why and would often set the table as if she were hosting a get-together.

“Her home was a place where she was used to welcoming guests,” Whitney said, deducing that this senior had once been an amazing hostess. “It was designed for conversation and company.”

Determined to ease the woman’s loneliness, Whitney made it a point to chat during each visit. “I always tried to make time to talk to her,” she said.

This is just one example of how Whitney has supported seniors in her community through her role as the customer and community liaison for Subaru South Charlotte and Subaru Concord.

Whitney, who has worked for Subaru for more than 30 years, says the two North Carolina retailers are proud partners of Cabarrus Meals on Wheels and regularly send staff on delivery routes. They help provide older adults with the nutritious meals and companionship they so desperately need. 

Whitney’s team also supports the local Meals on Wheels by collecting and donating paper towels, toilet paper and other paper products — essentials Whitney was “horrified” to learn can’t be purchased using federal public assistance’s Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards.  

“They’re expensive, and people just don’t have that extra money,” concurred Kimberly Strong, executive director of Cabarrus Meals on Wheels. “And it’s something people just don’t think about. They think about food, but we give out a lot of other items, too."

Additionally, Whitney’s team has sold two cars to Cabarrus Meals on Wheels at cost, organized canned food drives, distributed pet supplies and made birthday gift bags — which, for some clients, are the only birthday gifts they receive. 

“We do anything and everything we can to support them,” said Whitney.

That includes participating in the annual Subaru Share the Love® Event. During this nationwide initiative, Subaru and its retailers will donate a minimum of $300 to charities*, like Meals on Wheels, for every new vehicle purchased or leased now through January 2, 2025.

Since 2014, Subaru South Charlotte and Subaru Concord have raised a remarkable $235,000 for Cabarrus Meals on Wheels. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication of Whitney and her colleagues.

“I’ll continue providing support as long as I’m standing,” she said. 

When Subaru calls itself “more than a car company,” it means it. Over the past 16 years, the Subaru Share the Love Event has enabled the company and its retailers to donate over 4.6 million meals to homebound seniors nationwide.

Our unique partnership also attracts committed volunteers like Whitney, who said that volunteering strengthens her empathy. “It reminds me that I am blessed with what I have and should always be blessing others.”

*Subaru will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased from November 21, 2024, through January 2, 2025, to four national charities designated by the purchaser or lessee. Pre-approved Hometown Charities may be selected for donation depending on retailer participation. For every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased during the campaign period, participating retailers will donate a minimum of $50 in total to their registered Hometown Charities. Subaru will donate a total of $5 to their registered Hometown Charities for every Subaru vehicle routine service visit during the campaign period. A routine visit includes customer payment of $5 or greater, or any service that includes a genuine Subaru oil filter. Purchasers/lessees must make their charity designations by January 10, 2025. The four national charities will receive a guaranteed minimum donation of $250,000 each. See your local Subaru retailer for details or visit subaru.com/share. All donations made by Subaru of America, Inc.