Charley Wood has dedicated almost every Thursday morning since 1995 to Mobile Meals, bringing hot meals and a friendly face to older adults who are frail, socially isolated, and unable to cook for themselves. As a part of this campaign, he planned to walk the 500 mile Camino de Santiago route across northern Spain to raise funds for Mobile Meals.

Charley was able to trek over 200 miles for our cause. However, due to a recurring injury, he was forced to stop short of his 500-mile goal. Now, we are inviting our friends across Knox County to walk on his behalf to help us reach 500 miles.

Through pledges, donations, and sponsorships, Charley’s goal is to raise $50,000 to provide nutrition assistance and social support to Knox County’s older adult population. This amount would provide almost 14,000 meals for homebound seniors.

How Can I Help?

Help us reach $50,000

Donate using the button in the top right corner.

Share our story on social media to spread the word about our campaign.

Follow our progress on our Facebook page

“I started as a volunteer for Mobile Meals as a tribute to my mother,”  Charley said. “I lived about 100 miles from her and wasn’t able to do as much for her as I would have liked in her later years. Fortunately, other neighbors were there to help. I’ve tried to reach out to help the elderly in my own community. They are so appreciative of the meal but also the daily contact with a friendly volunteer.”

How far will your pledge go?

$0.05 per mile provides 7 meals

$0.10 per mile provides 14 meals

$0.20 per mile provides 28 meals

$0.50 per mile provides 70 meals

$1.00 per mile provides 140 meals

Where did Charley walk? Featured in films such as “The Way” starring Martin Sheen, the Camino de Santiago de Compostela is a route that’s been followed by pilgrims for almost 2000 years. The route stretches across northern Spain, crossing two mountain ranges and a high, treeless plateau, and ends at the tomb of St. James in the Cathedral de Santiago de Compostela. Charley sees this as a special kind of pilgrimage, dedicated to a program that has helped so many seniors stay safe in their homes.

More about Mobile Meals: Each weekday, over 100 volunteers deliver Mobile Meals to approximately 1,100 seniors who are unable to cook and have no one to prepare meals for them. With your help, Charley hopes to raise $50,000 to provide nutrition assistance and social support to Knox County’s older adult population.