What is Meals on Wheels?
Our meals are delivered five days a week, and are providing nourishment for the soul as well as the body. The three-part program ensures that, in addition to a warm smile, our clients receive a nutritious meal, a well-being check and follow-up with emergency contacts if needed. We say it’s more than a meal! This provides an essential human connection which is too often lost when seniors or disabled adults live alone. Each client receives a freshly prepared hot meal Monday through Friday and an optional frozen meal on Friday for the weekend. In addition, emergency food boxes are provided once a year to each client with a three-day shelf-stable supply of food.
Our meal service is for:
• People who are homebound due to age, infirmity, chronic disease, disability, or who
• are suffering from a debilitating illness, and
• Are unable or find it difficult to food shop and prepare nutritious meals for themselves, and
• Are living alone or with a spouse or partner who is also eligible.
• We serve homebound adults of any age — not only seniors.
• Patients discharged from hospitals or rehab who need short-term assistance with meals as they recuperate. Minimum service length is one month.
• Senior caregivers of a spouse or partner. We deliver two meals to provide the caregiver respite from cooking.
In addition, we understand that for some seniors who live alone, a pet makes the difference between living with a furry pet that gives love and companionship and living in isolation. However, many on fixed incomes struggle to meet the cost of pet food and care for their beloved pet. Through our AniMeals program, we provide free pet food and basic veterinary care for our clients who are in need.
How does your agency benefit the community?
Our service enables the homebound to remain independent and living in their own homes longer. For those who had not been eating properly — the increased nutrition makes a difference in their quality of life. It provides a solution to isolation and loneliness through daily contact with our volunteers. It also serves as a wellness check with reports back to family when necessary, as well as calls for emergency services. Our program helps prevent premature or unnecessary institutionalization of older adults.
What is your agency’s focus for 2017?
To expand our geographical reach to more seniors.
How can the community help?
Consider making a donation to support our mission, volunteer your time to deliver meals or serve on a fundraising committee! We operate without government funding of any kind.
MISSION STATEMENT
To nourish and enrich the lives of homebound seniors in our community
KEY PROGRAMS
Daily food delivery: Monday through Friday delivery to homebound seniors of a freshly prepared, hot and nutritious meal.
AniMeals: We provide pet food and aid with basic veterinary bills for our clients.
Meals On Wheels of the Palm Beaches: 1300 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33401; 561-802-6979; http://www.mealsonwheelspalmbeaches.org/
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