Meals on Wheels Greenville: Catriona Carlisle
Meals on Wheels Greenville strengthens our community by providing nutritious meals to individuals who are homebound. Since 1969, they have been a vital part of Greenville, fostering connection, compassion, and support. In 2025 alone, Meals on Wheels Greenville delivered an astounding 386,722 meals.
Catriona Carlisle, who has served as Executive Director since 2009, plays an integral role in advancing the organization’s mission. She manages staff, oversees budgeting, and leads strategic planning efforts to ensure continued growth and sustainability. With a background in healthcare, Catriona brings a unique and compassionate perspective to her leadership, helping maximize the organization’s impact and better serve the Greenville community.
In your 17 years with Meals on Wheels, how has the organization evolved?
Meals on Wheels has grown in our role battling food insecurity in our community. In addition to our mission of supporting our homebound clients, we are a food vendor for other organizations, delivery partner with agencies like Project Host to expand access for nutritious food, and support for the community in times of crisis.
How did Project Host and Meals on wheels initially decide to partner?
Meals on Wheels x Project Host Cooking for Kids
During COVID, The Food Insecurity Coalition was formed through Livewell Greenville, and bigger conversations started to happen. We knew what other food agencies did but we formed stronger relationships and friendships. During a conversation between Tobin and I, we realized that MOW could possibly fill a gap for Project Host and we began to explore what that could look like. MOW had the infrastructure for delivery and I believe it is a great example of a partnership that is using already established resources and not duplicating a service.
What is the most rewarding part of leading Meals on Wheels Greenville?
It is rewarding to see how our wonderful volunteers step up for our clients and the community. Whether it is daily meal delivery, meal packaging, office or event support, they are there when we need them. Meals on Wheels has the best volunteers!
How do you work with the board to turn goals into impact?
Meals on Wheels works with our board to advocate and lead our organization with a vision for the future while making sure we are fiscally sound. Board relationships and connections are critical to our work.
How has your previous health-focused experience shaped your approach to addressing hunger?
Volunteering at Project Host Soup Kitchen
We continue to educate and learn about the role nutrition plays in the physical health of individuals. Last year we added a new program, RXMeals, for service. This program provides medically tailored meals as a nutrition intervention, in partnership with healthcare systems or managed care providers. The training program our staff went through was 9 months and included 2 sites visits, extensive education seminars, process and plan development. For many of our clients, the meal we provide, could be the only full meal they eat in a day. We want it to be the most nutritious as possible and partner with a registered dietician for review of our menus.
How does Meals on Wheels contribute to overall community health?
Meals on Wheels works to be a good community partner that is there when called with a need. Hurricane Helene is a great example of how I think we contribute to the health of our community. When most of the community lost power during the storm, MOW had a generator that kept us serving with interruption. We served our clients with extra meals and emergency meal kits. In addition, we served other community agencies with over 8000 meals the week after the storm.
Do you have any projects that you’re excited about right now?
RXMeals.
Is there a story that you can share that captures why this work matters?
There are so many stories of clients and volunteers that exemplify the heart of our mission. We are fortunate to see the difference we make in the lives of those we serve. There is one story from a few years ago that is a part of our work that many people might not know about. In addition to meals, we provide #Morethanmeals for our clients that includes birthday cakes, pet food, emergency meal kits and holiday bags. A new client left us a voicemail soon after he started on his service. It was his birthday and he received a cake and card from Meals on Wheels. In his message, he thanked us for the cake and shared he did not know that was part of our service. He was emotional and said how much getting the cake meant to him. It had been 16 years since he had a birthday cake as his wife had passed away 16 years ago. It is the little things in life that can brighten someone’s day and I am grateful for Meals on Wheels and our staff for helping make that happen.
Who is the most influential woman in your life?
I have been fortunate to have many women influence me throughout my life – family, friends and colleagues. Many have helped me be a better person and leader. Others influence helped me establish the type of person or leader I did not want to be.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring for leadership roles?
I would encourage them to take advantage of every opportunity available, network, invest in themselves and make sure your leadership role aligns with your personal values. And have fun!
Learn more about Meals on Wheels Greenville by subscribing to their newsletter here!