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# SBC donates $10,000 to ‘Meals on Wheels’
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/sbc-donates-10-000-to-meals-on-wheels/
- Published: 2003-08-04T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T02:40:12.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Business, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By LAUREN WOLMAN Special to the Daily Press*

Meals on Wheels West is $10,000 rich-er thanks to a contribution from the telecommunications company, SBC.

The donation comes at a crucial time and is one of the largest gifts the nonprofit agency, which has a $453,000 budget, has ever received, said Rosemary Regalbuto, executive director of Meals on Wheels West.

“We are facing cutbacks in funding from the county over the next four years,” she said. “With this contribution, along with additional fundraising and grants, we will not start out the year with a deficit.”

The organization provides home-delivered, nutritious meals to individuals who are confined to their homes or disabled and unable shop or cook for themselves.

SBC has a philosophy of giving back to the community and getting involved in places where they do business, said Michael John Smith, SBC vice president.

He said they chose to donate to Meals on Wheels West because, “it does a great job.”

Meals on Wheels West was established in 1972 and serves about 700 clients a year in Santa Monica, Malibu, Pacific Palisades and Topanga Canyon. The meals it serves address most dietary concerns, including diabetes, lactose intolerance, low-sodium diets, low cholesterol diets and pureed meals for those with difficulty chewing.

There is a fee for those who can afford it, but the agency offers financial assistance and has a policy of turning no one away.

“All they have to do is call and we will come the next day,” said Regalbuto.

Brent Hildegard had surgery two months ago and has had meals delivered to her since she arrived home from the hospital.

She appreciates the help because she has no other option since she cannot walk far.

Joanna Vasquez, director of volunteers, said many people don’t think about how they’ll be taken care of in case of an illness or accident.

“If we are not there for them, I don’t know where they would go,” she said.

The meals are delivered by volunteers who are concerned and take an interest in the people they serve.

“I know the people I deliver to,” said Terri Reese who volunteers twice a week. “This is my neighborhood, these are my neighbors.

“I could be here one day.” Patricia Polkinghorn who has had food delivered to her house for two years said, “All of the volunteers are lovely people and are so sweet.”

More than food, the volunteers provide company for people who don’t always receive many visitors.

“It’s like having someone who cares for you come over every day — not just bringing you stuff, but spending time with you,” said Lloyd Ely, a Meals on Wheels client. “To know that it’s there for people who live alone and can’t have full-time help, is such a godsend,”

Reese agreed. “The thing that is great is that everyone still has their independence and privacy,” she said.

Ely said she is grateful to the organization.

“Who ever thought of this is a genius,” she said.

For further information on Meals on Wheels West, call (310) 394-5133 or go to www.MealsOnWheelsWest.org.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 4, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/080403.pdf?ref=smdp.com)