For EJ and Lynne Lovett, love is right there in the name. After 55 years of marriage, their partnership continues to shape how they spend their time, including delivering Meals on Wheels together. 

College sweethearts, the Lovetts have long believed in giving back side-by-side. For many years, they volunteered together cooking meals at Preble Street. When the pandemic arrived and that work was no longer a viable option, they began looking for another way to stay connected and continue serving their community. 

A friend mentioned that he had just picked up a Meals on Wheels route with the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, and EJ signed up during the pandemic. Not long after, Lynne joined him. 

“Delivering for Meals on Wheels has helped us stay socially connected with the community,” EJ says. “When you give, you always get back more than you give. And this was something Lynne and I could do together.” 

Their first day delivering as a couple stands out. EJ was still new himself, and their route included apartment buildings with multiple floors and lots of residents. 

“I couldn’t quite find my way around at first,” he recalls. “Having Lynne there with me made it easier to figure it all out. We had great teamwork right from the start.” 

That teamwork has now carried them through six years of delivering Meals on Wheels together. 

“As we’ve gotten older, we’ve been looking for meaningful things we can do together,” EJ explains. “Earlier in our marriage, we each had individual interests, careers, and kids to focus on. Now, volunteering works really well for us.” 

Every Tuesday, the Lovetts deliver meals to about 20 Meals on Wheels recipients. The commitment matters so much that they plan travel and activities around their route. 

“It’s important to us, and it’s important to the 20 folks we deliver to each week. This is really critical stuff. We’re talking about delivering meals to people who can’t otherwise access food on their own.” 

When the route is finished, they often end the day with a small tradition of going out for ice cream together. 

Lynne and EJ say the experience has given them a deeper perspective and a sense of connection. 

“We’re part of the aging community now,” EJ says. “We’re experiencing it ourselves, and we’re watching other people experience it too. We’re just trying to be helpful where we can. The Southern Maine Agency on Aging is serving our own needs right now for social connection, and we can also give back to the community through volunteering.” 

Through Meals on Wheels, the Lovetts have built strong relationships with the people they serve. 

“We’ve formed a relationship with each of our clients,” EJ says. “Lynne and I each have slightly different relationships with them, and that enhances the experience for the client and for us.” 

Those relationships matter, especially for older adults who live alone. 

“We might be the only people they see all week,” EJ says. “Especially during the pandemic, it was important for older adults to have some social tie, since many live alone.” 

Along with delivering meals, Lynne and EJ check in on clients and report concerns, knowing they will be addressed. 

“It provides a service beyond delivering the meals,” EJ explains. “In addition to the food, we’re there to connect and do a check-in together.” 

When it comes to encouraging others to volunteer, Lynne and EJ often highlight the value of doing it together. 

“Give it a shot,” EJ says. “Some routes are quite small and can be done in a relatively short period of time. More hands make lighter work. If you can fit it into your routine, it’s something you can share.” 

For Lynne and EJ, volunteering together has strengthened their relationship, deepened their community connections, and given them a meaningful way to show up every week as a team.  Through Meals on Wheels, the Lovetts continue to turn their lifelong partnership into a weekly act of care – nourishing not just bodies, but connection and community.