August 18, 2025
Our Meals on Wheels Central Texas neighbor, Robert, and his wife reside in Taylor, Texas. The family’s 3-bedroom home, built in 1940, is where they raised their children. Today, those children are all grown up, raising families of their own.
Standing strong for 85 years, the humble home has endured expected wear, tear, and decline for a home of its age. But Robert and his wife endeavor to continue living at home as long as they can do so with safety, comfort, and dignity.
The Meals on Wheels Central Texas home repair program serves older adults, homebound neighbors, and veterans across the Central Texas region. Robert, a retired veteran, first heard about our home repair program from his sister-in-law, who had had some home repairs completed by the team in years prior.
In late 2024, Robert inquired about our veteran home repair program. He was particularly concerned about the condition of the home’s kitchen. “My wife has a breathing issue and uses an oxygen tank,” Robert reveals. “Our gas stove had to go,” he adds.
Bryan Sykes, vice president of the Home Repair team, shares that “Meals on Wheels Central Texas home repair seeks to complete a holistic job.” This is the exact approach the team took for Robert’s home repairs.
The home was originally built on a foundation of block piers and cedar posts. “When the team came over to start the repair, they said the cabinets could not be done without leveling the home first,” Robert shares.
Robert reveals that there were some initial hurdles with the project. “When they were remodeling the kitchen, the crew ran into an issue with the plumbing,” shares Robert.
He says that the team quickly shifted gears when they discovered the underlying problem. They replaced up to 50 pipes to move forward with the kitchen repairs.
In addition to the kitchen repairs, the home repair team replaced all the windows in the home to increase the energy efficiency—28 windows total.
“They were very quick and efficient. Since we have three bedrooms, we didn’t have to leave at all during the renovation,” Robert adds.
Robert shares that the repairs really helped with his wife’s medical condition and has set them up for a comfortable future.
Robert's home repairs were completed with the support of the Home Depot Foundation, which provides funding to repair Central Texas veterans' homes. Local support is also critical in allowing us to provide these home repairs, to veterans, older adults, and individuals living with disabilities.
Robert says he is happy to share his experience, so that more veterans and homebound neighbors can learn about the home repair program and all that it has to offer.
Whether you donate or volunteer with us, know that your support makes a difference. Together, we maintain a lifeline that empowers neighbors like Robert, to age in place with dignity and independence.
Central Texans Power This Older Adult Lifeline
When you make a donation to Meals on Wheels Central Texas, your gift fuels this lifeline. From lunchtime deliveries to home repairs to in-home care, every donation to our organization makes a positive and direct impact for our homebound neighbors.
Make a Gift to Fuel a Lifeline
At Meals on Wheels Central Texas, we have various Greater Austin volunteer opportunities. We invite you to join our volunteer team and help us deliver healthy meals and smiles to Central Texas older adults and other homebound neighbors in need.