Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula
700 Jewell Ave., Pacific Grove, (831) 375‑4454, mowmp.org
One of Steinbeck’s gripes was that government could do more to help its poorer citizens. In his time, there were just dribbles of aid from charities. But when the organization providing aid is Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula, you can be sure that help is on the way. Last years, its 250 volunteer drivers delivered 276,000 meals around their service area – meals prepared by a team of cooks, providing breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also offer group dining in the Community Center, as well as recreational and social activites – again through the support of volunteers. Steinbeck would have been impressed.