Meals on Wheels services are offered to seniors age 60 and older living in Fairfield County who struggle to shop for groceries and prepare food on their own. Community dining sites are available for older adults who want to engage with others over a meal at one of our community sites.
We know adequate nutrition is necessary for health, functionality, and the ability to remain independent. Healthy eating can increase mental acuity, resistance to illness and disease, energy levels, immune system strength, recuperation speed, and the ability to manage chronic health problems. Through home delivery for home bound seniors or congregate meal sites for seniors who are still able to venture out, Meals on Wheels ensures that seniors have access to adequate nutrition even when family support, mobility and resources are lacking.
For many seniors, the trusted Meals on Wheels volunteer of staff member who shows up every day with a hot meal and a warm smile is the only person they see or speak with all day. This special delivery or the plan to meet with friends at one of the congregate meal sites, provides seniors reason to get up in the morning, something to look forward to, and a reminder to take good care of themselves by eating properly.
Meals on Wheels programs are designed to nourish the body while providing opportunity for socialization to boost the spirit. Whether through a visit from a home delivered driver or while dining at one of the congregate meal sites, seniors feel connected to our agency and to others when they engage with our program.
To apply for Meals on Wheels service, click HERE
HOME DELIVERED MEALS: A hot, nutritious meal is delivered each weekday. For those who qualify, evening and weekend meals are available. Choice of delivery schedule is available which includes daily delivery of a hot meal, once a week delivery of frozen meals, or a combination of the two. You choose.
CONGREGATE MEALS: Meals are served at locations within the city limits and surrounding communities. Congregate or "community" meals sites offer opportunity for seniors to engage in activities and socialization with friends while enjoying a nutritious meal. When available, Meals on Wheels also offers restaurant programs to meet the needs of seniors in areas of the county where there is no congregate site available.
Community meal site locations.
Amanda United Methodist Church 227 E. High Street, Amanda
Farmhouse Cafe 201 W. Market Street, Baltimore
Bob's Backyard BBQ, 80 W. Church Street, Pickerington
Livingston Arms Apartments 207 North Livingston Ave., Lancaster
Mount Pleasant Place Apartments 963 Prestige Blvd., Lancaster
Lucy’s Café at The Senior Hub-Meals on Wheels Senior Services Center 1515 Cedar Hill Road, Lancaster
Pleasant View Place Apartments 1690 Chartwell Street, Lancaster
Windsor Place Apartments 141 Graceland Drive, Lancaster
Hunterwood Senior Apartments, Trace Drive, Lancaster
SUPPLEMENTAL FOOD PROGRAM: Commodity supplemental food boxes, Farmer's Market Coupons, and liquid supplements
CHOICE OFFERINGS
- regular, pureed, ground, or chopped textures
- choice of chocolate, skim, or 2% milk
- choice of delivery method; hot delivered or frozen, or perhaps a combination of the two
- choice of entree on specified days of the month
- special diets: cardiac, diabetic, diverticulitis, and vegetarian
NUTRITION COUNSELING: Nutrition counselling with a registered dietitian is available by appointment.
Menus are approved by a registered dietician to ensure proper nutrition. Nutrition programs are funded in part by: Title III Of the Older American's Act via COAAA, Meals on Wheels Senior Services Levy, client & community donations, and agency fundraising. Meals on Wheels Older Adult Alternatives is required to ask for donations for meals services. No participant is denied Title III funded meals due to their inability to contribute as long as funding lasts.
The Meals on Wheels program may contract with local restaurants and provide specifications to the restaurant for providing meals to senior clients, however, Meals on Wheels does not inspect the facility for compliance with food safety and health code requirements. Inspections are performed by either the Franklin County Health Department or the Fairfield County Health Department. Meals on Wheels relies on the expertise of Health Inspector for guiding the restaurant facility in matters relating to compliance with food safety and health code. Inspection reports can be found on-line by visiting www.myfcph.org(Franklin County) or www.myfdh.org (Fairfield County)