Meet Coby & Marie – A Grandson-Grandmother Duo Making a Difference

Coby, a student at Christian Brothers Academy, needed community service hours to graduate. When searching for volunteer opportunities, he chose Meals on Wheels of Syracuse. His reason was simple yet profound:

“I’ve never had to worry about where my next meal would come from, and I wanted to help those who do—to make sure they can access healthy food.”

Wanting to share the experience, Coby invited his grandmother Marie, who had just retired from Syracuse University. Volunteering together became a way to serve the community—and to connect with each other.

Why They Keep Coming Back
When asked why they return day after day, Coby and Marie were quick to answer: the people. They described Meals on Wheels as a welcoming community where they’ve met wonderful volunteers and built meaningful connections.

For Coby, one special memory was meeting Leonard, a meal recipient who greeted him each day with a smile and a spark in his eyes.  Marie was moved by the way neighbors looked out for one another and by the opportunity to spend quality time with her grandson—something that’s hard to come by during Coby’s busy school and sports schedule. “I couldn’t be prouder of him,” she said.

Three Words to Describe MOW
Coby chose Caring, Community, Love.
Marie, reflecting from a professional perspective, praised MOW as a well-oiled machine—safe, well-organized, and efficient, with thorough training for volunteers.

Lessons Learned
Both agreed that volunteering taught them a powerful truth:

• Coby: “Everyone, no matter where they come from, is the same. Everyone’s just trying to get by.”
• Marie: “We are all more alike than we are different.”

Their Message to New Volunteers
To anyone unsure about volunteering, their advice is simple: do it.
“It will make you feel good,” Coby said. Marie added that when she first drove to volunteer, she felt good about giving her time—but quickly realized the experience touched her life even more deeply. She was amazed by how the Syracuse community cares for one another.

A Lighter Note
Meals on Wheels is all about food, so we asked about their favorite comfort foods:

• Coby: Chicken tenders
• Marie: Pasta

If they could invite anyone to deliver meals with them?

• Coby: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson—“He’d be fun and super nice to everyone.”
• Marie: Dolly Parton—“She’s powerful and kind, and I’d love for her to meet Katrina, one of our meal recipients who sang with Loretta Lynn.”

What This Experience Means to Them
For both Coby and Marie, volunteering with Meals on Wheels has been about more than delivering food—it’s been about discovering their community, connecting with people, and realizing that deep down, we’re all the same.

Thank you, Coby & Marie, for your service, your warmth, and the kindness you bring to Syracuse. We are so grateful for you.

Written by Mary Beth Anderson