For more than four decades, Kay Cunningham has been the heart and soul of Meals on Wheels in Ballinasloe. Her journey began in 1985 after spotting a simple appeal for volunteers placed in the parish newsletter by Sister John. Without hesitation, Kay answered the call. At a time when she didn’t even own a car, she delivered hot meals throughout the town on her bicycle, serving those in need for almost five years before she was eventually able to deliver by car.
When a full-time position became available in 1991, Kay welcomed the opportunity with the same dedication she had shown as a volunteer. Her mornings were spent ensuring Meals on Wheels ran smoothly before supervising the school meals service each afternoon. Alongside Sister John, Sister Dympna and later, Sister Helena, she became a familiar face in the kitchen, helping to prepare thousands of meals while quietly building a service that would become a lifeline for so many people across the community.
In July 1999, following the retirement of Sister Helena, Kay was appointed
Meals on Wheels Coordinator. Armed with little more than the keys to the kitchen, a cooker and the goodwill of those around her, she set about transforming the service. When the school meals programme came to an end, Kay devoted all of her energy to expanding Meals on Wheels. A new industrial cooker, funded
through local fundraising efforts, marked the beginning of an exciting
period of growth and development.
Under Kay’s leadership, Meals on Wheels evolved from a modest local service into one of the region’s most respected community supports. She expanded delivery routes well beyond Ballinasloe, recruited and inspired generations of volunteers (including her own grandchildren!), secured funding and resources, and built a service that now delivers thousands of hot meals each year to older and vulnerable members of the community.
“Those who know Kay will tell you that her greatest achievement has never been measured by the number of meals served, but by the kindness and friendship she has brought to every doorstep. She understood that every delivery was more than a meal, it was a friendly face, a conversation, a reassurance and often the highlight of someone’s day. She never forgot those who had no one around them at holiday time, often going out of her way to deliver dinners personally on Christmas Day for countless years,” stated Michael Lally, Chair of the Ballinasloe Social Services Board.
From cycling around town with dinners balanced on her bicycle to leading one of the community’s most valued services, Kay’s story is one of quiet determination, unwavering compassion and extraordinary commitment. Her legacy is not only the service she helped build, but the countless lives she has touched over more than 40 years of selfless dedication.
As she begins her well-earned retirement, the people of Ballinasloe owe Kay Cunningham a tremendous debt of gratitude. Her compassion, leadership and tireless work have left an enduring mark on the community, and her legacy will continue to flourish for generations to come.
