New Sheep Sculpture Honors Meals For The Elderly Founder

SAN ANGELO, TX - Downtown San Angelo, Inc. and Meals For The Elderly (MFTE) invite ‘EWE’ to a special unveiling of Miss Marybelle Alice, a new sheep sculpture, on Thursday, April 9 at 2 p.m. at the Meals For The Elderly office, 310 E. Houston Harte Expressway. The media and public are invited to attend. 

The event will also include a check presentation from the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE) in support of Meals For The Elderly. The sheep unveiling is part of Downtown San Angelo, Inc.’s well-loved sheep art program, a public art initiative that celebrates the region’s agricultural roots while highlighting the organizations that help shape the community. 

“The Sheep Spectacular is a symbol of our community,” said Monica Ramos, Executive Director of Downtown San Angelo, Inc. “Each sheep tells a story, and this one honors a legacy of service that continues to impact lives across San Angelo every single day.” 

The artist behind Miss Marybelle Alice is Ashley Perales, owner of Pop of Color, a local business established in 2019. Ashley believes the sheep are a symbol of community connection, enhancing the presence of local organizations while bringing awareness to San Angelo’s history and roots. 

A 2025 Community Champion, she has painted more than two dozen sheep across the city and was a natural choice to bring this vision to life. Miss Marybelle Alice is named in honor of Mary Alice Rodgers, founder of Meals For The Elderly, and was selected through a community vote on Meals For The Elderly’s Facebook page, giving local residents the opportunity to be part of this special project. 

What began in 1974 with four volunteer drivers serving 16 individuals has grown into a vital service delivering approximately 600 meals each weekday to homebound seniors throughout the Concho Valley. 

“This is a full circle moment for us,” said Suzanna Valenzuela, Director of Development and Marketing for Meals For The Elderly. “As we celebrate more than 50 years of service to our community, honoring our founder in this way alongside partners who believe in our mission means more than we can put into words.” 

Following the unveiling, the Drury Lane Chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire in San Angelo will present a donation to Meals For The Elderly. The gift comes from a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Mountbatten House Retirement Facility in Houston, Texas. 

The chapter selected Meals For The Elderly as a designated charity in appreciation of the organization’s service to the local community. 

Guests will also enjoy tea served by the Daughters of the British Empire and cookies prepared by the Meals For The Elderly kitchen staff. 

Special thanks to Lane Horwood of Fly By Night Land and Cattle for donating the rock that will serve as the sheep’s base, and to ASCO Equipment for assisting with its placement, Downtown San Angelo stated. Meals For The Elderly has served the Concho Valley for more than 50 years, working to ensure that seniors can remain independent in their homes through nutritious meals, coordinated services, and meaningful daily connection.