How can i get meals on wheels

Please mention your interest in volunteering as a group when speaking to your local program. Companies or organizations interested in creating group volunteer opportunities in multiple cities can express interest by sending an email to volunteer mealsonwheelsamerica.

While the vetting process for volunteers varies by location, all programs are invested in the safety of their clients. You may be asked to undergo a background check process prior to delivering meals if your local program assigns you to a route unaccompanied by a more experienced volunteer or staff member.

Food preparation is not part of the meal delivery volunteer assignment. Meals are individually packaged to be handed off simply to clients. In most locations volunteers who deliver meals will drive their own cars. However, in some urban settings, delivery routes can be covered on foot or by using mass transit.

Please ask your local Meals on Wheels program about transportation when you are setting up your volunteer assignments. Typically, recurring volunteers can sign up for a set schedule and delivery route, therefore allowing you to visit the same seniors on a regular basis.

However, there is often a need to fill in open volunteer slots or to volunteer on different schedules which could result in serving different clients on different days. That largely depends on the distance between deliveries. Volunteers in more rural settings typically see fewer clients in a single volunteer shift, while those in urban areas can visit quickly with multiple clients living in close proximity to each other.

Generally programs serve adults 60 and over, although age requirements can vary by program and areas served. People who are mobile enough to join others for meals in a group setting where seniors congregate, like senior centers and cafes, are encouraged to do so; while others less mobile may qualify for home delivery. These can include pet food delivery for clients' pets, home repair services, telephone reassurance and transportation services for doctor appointments and other needs.

Some programs offer meals to meet special dietary needs, cultural or ethnic preferences, and other programs serve fruits and vegetables right out of their own gardens! Additional services may also include emergency meals for bad weather days and hospital discharge programs that are proven to reduce readmissions.

Contact your local program to see what's available in your area. Some programs may additionally require a referral letter from a doctor or social worker. You have literally saved my life, and I am grateful beyond words. A: I had just retired and I had… Read More. Joi suffers from two different medical conditions that require her to closely monitor her diet. She needs low-fat and low-sodium foods and cannot eat any raw vegetables. Following… Read More.

We are committed to making sure vulnerable seniors receive the nutrition they need in the safest possible manner. Every state has a Meals on Wheels program, but a variety of nonprofit organizations provide these services. Meals on Wheels People receives funding from a variety of sources. More than 70 percent of our annual budget comes from contributions from the community. Participants are asked to contribute what they can toward the cost of their meals and we have an active development department that seeks private donations and grants.