It's a hectic time of year but maybe a night at the basketball arena with some nachos is a perfect break from shopping. We are butting up against Christmas break for both college and high school athletics but there are plenty of incredible events this week.
Volunteers with Riverside Meals on Wheels package cookies for Friday meal deliveries (left). Riverside Cookie Shoppe donates a variety of cookies each week, combining day-old inventory with specially baked batches for the program (right). (Courtesy of Riverside Meals on Wheels)
Meals on Wheels and Riverside Cookie Shoppe reached the 100,000-cookie milestone in November, a partnership that began in winter 2023 to combat senior isolation during the coldest months.
What started as a once-a-week treat on "Sweet Friday" has become one of the most anticipated moments in the week for homebound seniors receiving meals from Riverside Meals on Wheels (RMOW). The partnership with Riverside Cookie Shoppe has delivered more than cookies—it's brought joy, connection and something to look forward to.
"The overwhelming feedback from our volunteers is that the seniors absolutely light up when it's cookie day," says Alex Arana, RMOW's executive director. "Sometimes, there are tears of joy involved."
The partnership began in winter 2023 when RMOW approached Crystal Gomez, owner of Riverside Cookie Shoppe, about donating cookies to accompany meals. For Crystal, the decision was immediate.
"Food and sweets have become a form of showing love to those around me," Crystal says. "Our cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they are a source of nostalgia, a part of our hearts and home."
Every Thursday, RMOW picks up cookies from the shop—a combination of day-old inventory that would otherwise go unsold and extra batches baked specifically for the program. The day-old cookies, typically from Wednesday night, ensure retail customers always get the freshest experience while preventing waste.
"We don't resell day-old cookies because we want customers to have that fresh-baked cookie experience, like it's coming out of their own oven," Crystal says. "But they're still delicious, and if we don't have enough, we bake extra specifically for Meals on Wheels."
The cookies typically go into Friday meal deliveries, creating what volunteers and seniors now call "Sweet Friday." RMOW's 150 active volunteers have noticed the impact.
"We have had volunteers request to deliver on this day because of the joy in the air from the cookies," Alex says.
He shares stories that illustrate the cookies' meaning: Mrs. Guthrie opens her meal bag at the door, finds the cookie first and bites into it while saying goodbye to the volunteer. Mr. Carlos, with his characteristic sense of humor, tells volunteers, "You know what would make the cookie better? If the cookie had a friend."
For Crystal, continuing the in-kind donation is personally meaningful. "Seniors look forward to it. It gives hope for the next meal, the next treat, the next visit," she says.
The impact extends beyond individual moments. Alex notes that RMOW has no waiting list and client retention is the best it's been in a long time. "We are certain the cookies help immensely with that," he says.
This year, RMOW delivered over 37,000 meals. But the organization addresses more than hunger.
"We are addressing two major issues: providing nutritious meals to disabled neighbors and combating the growing epidemic of isolation and loneliness in senior communities," Alex says.
The Cookie Shoppe practice reflects a broader approach to community giving. When Crystal took over from previous owner Nicky, she continued the tradition of donating day-old inventory to local organizations.
"I believe that when we give wholeheartedly, we're always going to get back more than we give," Crystal says. "It's rewarding in more ways than one—not just monetarily, but it's so fulfilling personally to say I can be part of the community in a bigger way."
While Sweet Friday remains the highlight, cookies sometimes appear on additional days depending on availability. All cookies are donated by the Cookie Shoppe.
Alex encourages community members to support both organizations: shopping at Riverside Cookie Shoppe to sustain their donation capacity, and volunteering or donating to RMOW at riversidemow.org. Donations can be designated specifically to Sweet Fridays.
