Meals On Wheels is a community program that delivers hot, healthy meals to people who are not able to prepare their own meals. It also serves people who cannot leave their homes to shop for food. Usually, the program delivers the noon meal, Monday through Friday. Some programs also deliver food for evening meals. Others provide meals that can be warmed up for the weekends as well.
Most programs can provide meals that meet the requirements of special diets, such as low-salt or diabetic diets.
You or your family, friends, or healthcare provider may ask for the delivery of meals. To be eligible for Meals On Wheels, you must be:
Volunteers deliver the meals 1 to 5 days a week. Each local agency determines its schedule, menus, charges, and policies. An agency staff member will determine if you qualify.
The main purpose of Meals On Wheels is to prepare and deliver meals to home-bound people. Usually, the person delivering a meal spends a few minutes talking to the person getting the meal. Having a visitor is another benefit of the program.
Most programs charge a small fee for the meals. Some programs have a sliding scale for fees based on your ability to pay. The agency in your area may receive funding from the local United Way, churches, government funding, or grants.
For further information on home delivered meals or other meal programs, see the Meals On Wheels Web site at http://www.mowaa.org. You can also call the Area Agency on Aging. To find your local Area Agency on Aging, call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116.
