San Francisco 49ers fan on the receiving end of Meals on Wheels
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- In San Francisco, it's the hundreds of volunteers that keep Meals on Wheels going. On Thursday, they fed 2,300 seniors. Those on the receiving end have wonderful stories to tell, including a die-hard San Francisco 49ers fan from the days when the team played at Kezar Stadium.
Martin Jacobs was anxiously waiting for his Thanksgiving lunch and dinner to arrive on Thursday. Shortly after 11 a.m., two volunteers from Meals on Wheels rang the doorbell with food in hand and a warm smile.
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"How's your day? Happy Thanksgiving," said one of the volunteers as she was welcomed inside Jacob's home.
"When you get older, it's like playing a football game getting tackled and getting up again, so every day is a blessing just to get up and to have another Thanksgiving is wonderful," expressed Jacobs, who is 74 years old.
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Speaking of football, he's also a loyal Niners fan who paid his way through college by selling peanuts and popcorn at Kezar Stadium, once home of the team.
His obsession with the 49ers and running back Hugh McElhenny began when he was only 9 years old, thanks to his dad who took him to this first game.
"He said look at number 39. And when I saw the way he ran and dazzled the fans, I just became a fan," said Jacobs as he showed us his 49ers and McElhenny memorabilia.
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On Thursday, about 600 volunteers were onhand to help deliver meals. Part of their job is to also listen to these wonderful stories of the people they serve.
"People are really finding it tough to make ends meet, and frankly their families are not close by any longer. They've moved outside the city, so all of those things are coming together to create this wave of seniors who need support to stay in their homes," said Ashley McCumber, executive director of Meals on Wheels San Francisco.
It's never too late for those who want to volunteer. Meals on Wheels delivers food every day. Click here to find out how you can volunteer.
Click here for more stories about the holidays and click here for more stories, photos, and video on the San Francisco 49ers.
