Meals on Wheels of Mercer County is a comprehensive nutrition program committed to providing nutritious meals and related services which are designed to promote the independence, dignity, health and wellbeing of our homebound participants. We deliver meals to homebound individuals in the Mercer County area with the help of a large group of committed volunteers. Participants may receive one hot meal, and an additional cold meal per day, Monday through Friday (holidays are excluded). A limited number of weekend meals are also available to weekday meal recipients. As a comprehensive nutrition program, Meals on Wheels of Mercer County also offers nutrition counseling and education, shelf-stable groceries once a month, 'Blizzard Bags" for inclement weather, and pet food for our recipients' furry companions We currently deliver meals in East Windsor, Ewing, Hightstown, Princeton, Trenton, West Windsor, Lawrence and specific areas within Hamilton.
Our Staff
Sasa Olessi Montaño
Chief Executive Officer
ceo@mealsonwheelsmercer.org
Sasa Olessi Montaño joined Meals on Wheels of Mercer County in August 2013 as CEO, and brings with her a wealth of non-profit and management experience. A graduate of Bryn Mawr College and Johns Hopkins University, she is a past President of the Trenton School Board and adjunct professor at Rider University. She has held various leadership positions within the Mercer County and Trenton City governments, in addition to being a past Executive Director of the YWCA of Trenton, founding Director of the Pace Center at Princeton University, and the founder of Latinas Unidas 28 years ago, a program that supports immigrant families acclimate with language, job and life-skills. Sasa is a member of the National Board of Meals on Wheels America. She has served on numerous State Commissions and Boards, many with a focus on the City of Trenton and its residents which include the Trenton City Planning Board, the TASK Board of Directors, the Board of Directors of the YWCA of Trenton and the Rescue Mission of Trenton Board of Directors.
Chief Executive Officer
ceo@mealsonwheelsmercer.org
Sasa Olessi Montaño joined Meals on Wheels of Mercer County in August 2013 as CEO, and brings with her a wealth of non-profit and management experience. A graduate of Bryn Mawr College and Johns Hopkins University, she is a past President of the Trenton School Board and adjunct professor at Rider University. She has held various leadership positions within the Mercer County and Trenton City governments, in addition to being a past Executive Director of the YWCA of Trenton, founding Director of the Pace Center at Princeton University, and the founder of Latinas Unidas 28 years ago, a program that supports immigrant families acclimate with language, job and life-skills. Sasa is a member of the National Board of Meals on Wheels America. She has served on numerous State Commissions and Boards, many with a focus on the City of Trenton and its residents which include the Trenton City Planning Board, the TASK Board of Directors, the Board of Directors of the YWCA of Trenton and the Rescue Mission of Trenton Board of Directors.
Brandon Verrault
Director of Operations
bverrault@mealsonwheelsmercer.org
Mr. Verrault comes to Meals on Wheels of Mercer County with a passion for helping others and making a difference in the community. He brings non-profit experience, having served as the Meals at Home & Weekend Mobile Meals coordinator for seven years at the American Red Cross of NJ. There he managed all areas of the program, including volunteer, client, and grant management. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and a minor in Business Administration. In his spare time, he enjoys being active by playing basketball, tennis, and running.
Director of Operations
bverrault@mealsonwheelsmercer.org
Mr. Verrault comes to Meals on Wheels of Mercer County with a passion for helping others and making a difference in the community. He brings non-profit experience, having served as the Meals at Home & Weekend Mobile Meals coordinator for seven years at the American Red Cross of NJ. There he managed all areas of the program, including volunteer, client, and grant management. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and a minor in Business Administration. In his spare time, he enjoys being active by playing basketball, tennis, and running.
Lara Livne
Director of Volunteer Services
volunteerservices@mealsonwheelsmercer.org
Lara Livne is a licensed social worker with a lifelong passion for helping people of all backgrounds and ages achieve a higher quality of life. She received her BA in psychology from Goucher College in 2001 and Masters of Social Work from the University of Maryland in 2006. Lara began her career at the Baltimore Jewish Community Center, as Director of Children Services, Special Needs Services and youth camps, where she stayed for 10 years. In 2011 she was hired by Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County as the Director of Community Programs and Services. In particular, she directed the volunteer program, case management services, food pantry and financial assistance for 5 years. After moving to Chicago, Lara became the Assistant Regional Director for the Midwest of the Anti Defamation League. Now that she’s back in Mercer County, Lara is excited to be part of the Meals on Wheels team. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family including her miniature poodle Yofi, cooking, baking, hiking in the outdoors and the occasional tennis match.
Director of Volunteer Services
volunteerservices@mealsonwheelsmercer.org
Lara Livne is a licensed social worker with a lifelong passion for helping people of all backgrounds and ages achieve a higher quality of life. She received her BA in psychology from Goucher College in 2001 and Masters of Social Work from the University of Maryland in 2006. Lara began her career at the Baltimore Jewish Community Center, as Director of Children Services, Special Needs Services and youth camps, where she stayed for 10 years. In 2011 she was hired by Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Mercer County as the Director of Community Programs and Services. In particular, she directed the volunteer program, case management services, food pantry and financial assistance for 5 years. After moving to Chicago, Lara became the Assistant Regional Director for the Midwest of the Anti Defamation League. Now that she’s back in Mercer County, Lara is excited to be part of the Meals on Wheels team. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family including her miniature poodle Yofi, cooking, baking, hiking in the outdoors and the occasional tennis match.
Jabeen Obaray
Project Manager
jobaray@mealsonwheelsmercer.org
Jabeen joined Meals on Wheels of Mercer County (MOWMC) in January 2017. Originally from Lawrenceville, she returned to New Jersey in 2013 from the Washington DC area, and served as an administrative assistant at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Mercer, as well on their Helpline. Prior to this, her work experience included teaching, in early intervention and preschool settings, for children with autism and blindness and visual impairment. Jabeen received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Bryn Mawr College, and her masters degree in Special Education from the Columbia University Teachers College. In her current role at MOWMC, Jabeen is responsible for assisting the Executive Director and other staff, performing various daily and event related administrative tasks, assisting participants and volunteers who call in to the office, and providing information to those who are interested in learning about the program. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities, video games and comic books, and spending time with her niece and nephew!
Project Manager
jobaray@mealsonwheelsmercer.org
Jabeen joined Meals on Wheels of Mercer County (MOWMC) in January 2017. Originally from Lawrenceville, she returned to New Jersey in 2013 from the Washington DC area, and served as an administrative assistant at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Mercer, as well on their Helpline. Prior to this, her work experience included teaching, in early intervention and preschool settings, for children with autism and blindness and visual impairment. Jabeen received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Bryn Mawr College, and her masters degree in Special Education from the Columbia University Teachers College. In her current role at MOWMC, Jabeen is responsible for assisting the Executive Director and other staff, performing various daily and event related administrative tasks, assisting participants and volunteers who call in to the office, and providing information to those who are interested in learning about the program. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor activities, video games and comic books, and spending time with her niece and nephew!
Kareem Cropper
Courier
Kareem is a Philadelphia born, New Jersey resident. He initially joined MOWMC in 2015 as Volunteer Coordinator. As a United States Marine for the last 7 years, he is returning to MOWMC after a year deployment because he enjoys working with the volunteers, and the program has helped open his eyes to his community. His hope is that every young person becomes more interested in programs like ours. He is also a father of three: two girls and one boy. In his spare time, he likes to play video games, listen to music, and read comics - he is a big Spider-Man fan. He also likes to work out, run and motivate others do so - in high school he was an accomplished track athlete. His goal in life is to feel accomplished and leave his mark on the world while helping as many people as he can. Kareem is working to complete his college degree.
Courier
Kareem is a Philadelphia born, New Jersey resident. He initially joined MOWMC in 2015 as Volunteer Coordinator. As a United States Marine for the last 7 years, he is returning to MOWMC after a year deployment because he enjoys working with the volunteers, and the program has helped open his eyes to his community. His hope is that every young person becomes more interested in programs like ours. He is also a father of three: two girls and one boy. In his spare time, he likes to play video games, listen to music, and read comics - he is a big Spider-Man fan. He also likes to work out, run and motivate others do so - in high school he was an accomplished track athlete. His goal in life is to feel accomplished and leave his mark on the world while helping as many people as he can. Kareem is working to complete his college degree.
Ruth Todd
Director of Program Services
Her drive for meaningful work and passion for improving the lives of others led Ruth to Meals on Wheels of Mercer County. Before coming to MOWMC, Ruth developed programming and provided leadership to other non-profit organizations. Most recently, she served as Director of Resource Development for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County. As Director of Kids Division at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Ruth ensured successful delivery of programs to children at risk of hunger and poverty. More than 2000 children received a meal in afterschool programs and hundreds more received meals through the Summer Feeding Program and weekend Back Pack Program. Ruth also provided oversight to a free store for teachers working in low-income districts and a clothing program that distributed clothing and equipment to agencies working with children in need. At the South Brunswick Family YMCA, Ruth served as Youth and Family Services Director to provide quality programming through a full-time Child Development Center, After School and Summer Camp Program. At the Y, Ruth also served as a facilitator for Strengthening Families, liaison to the South Brunswick Health Department, trainer for the Healthy U initiative and was a nominee for the Aletha R. Wright Award for Excellence in Early Care and Education.
Ruth is a graduate of Chatham College with a B.A. in Human Services Administration with a concentration in Early Childhood. She also studied Counseling and Psychology at Medialle College and most recently completed the Human Resources Professional Program at Rutgers University.
Ruth has been married to her childhood friend for the last 30 years. Together, they have three sons and one remarkable granddaughter. Ruth’s interests include reading, cooking, children’s literature, world cultures and yoga.
Director of Program Services
Her drive for meaningful work and passion for improving the lives of others led Ruth to Meals on Wheels of Mercer County. Before coming to MOWMC, Ruth developed programming and provided leadership to other non-profit organizations. Most recently, she served as Director of Resource Development for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plainfield & Middlesex County. As Director of Kids Division at the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Ruth ensured successful delivery of programs to children at risk of hunger and poverty. More than 2000 children received a meal in afterschool programs and hundreds more received meals through the Summer Feeding Program and weekend Back Pack Program. Ruth also provided oversight to a free store for teachers working in low-income districts and a clothing program that distributed clothing and equipment to agencies working with children in need. At the South Brunswick Family YMCA, Ruth served as Youth and Family Services Director to provide quality programming through a full-time Child Development Center, After School and Summer Camp Program. At the Y, Ruth also served as a facilitator for Strengthening Families, liaison to the South Brunswick Health Department, trainer for the Healthy U initiative and was a nominee for the Aletha R. Wright Award for Excellence in Early Care and Education.
Ruth is a graduate of Chatham College with a B.A. in Human Services Administration with a concentration in Early Childhood. She also studied Counseling and Psychology at Medialle College and most recently completed the Human Resources Professional Program at Rutgers University.
Ruth has been married to her childhood friend for the last 30 years. Together, they have three sons and one remarkable granddaughter. Ruth’s interests include reading, cooking, children’s literature, world cultures and yoga.
