The Meals on Wheels program was started in 1954 by a social worker named Margaret Toy. Funded by the Henrietta Tower Wurts Foundation, the program was begun at the request of the Philadelphia Health & Welfare Council.
The non-profit Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA), is the oldest and largest organization in the United States and is headquartered in Virginia. MOWAA represents the people who provide meal services to seniors in need, especially those at risk of or experiencing hunger. MOWAA works toward the economic, nutritional, physical and social betterment of vulnerable Americans by providing the tools and information needed to make a difference in their lives. In 2016, Meals on Wheels provided roughly 218 million meals to 2.5 million Americans, about 500,000 of them were veterans. The annual meal cost is $2,765 per recipient.
At the end of Feb., I received an invite from Susan Ashworth, the Director of Community Relations for Meals on Wheels, to participate in the #SaveLunch Campaign, and assist in delivering meals in the Keene area. This campaign raises availability awareness of this program for those who may need it and to raise funds to continue with deliveries. As living expenses and the cost of food continue to rise, food insecurity among older folks is rising in our area also.
The program has a considerable impact on the lives of older and disabled residents of our community. In a recent participant survey in Cheshire County, 60% said Meals on Wheels was their primary source of nutrition and 44% stated they didn’t have enough money for food.
Meals on Wheels serves 330 people in Cheshire County every week day; last year over 98,000 meals were delivered to older adults and those with disabilities in their homes. In addition to nutrition, it serves as a daily check on people. The program has funding from different sources: federal funding from the Social Services Block grant (Title 20), which accounts for 37% of each meal served, the Older American's Act (Title 3), Medicaid, state and local funding, fundraising efforts, and participant donations. Each meal meets 1/3rd of the daily requirements for older adults, and includes an entrée, milk, bread, and dessert. Deliveries are five days a week and in very rural towns, such as Gilsum and Sullivan, deliveries are Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services (HCS) has a contract with the State of NH Bureau of Aging and Adult Services to provide 90,100 Meals on Wheels in Cheshire County for the year. The balance of the meals served are Medicaid meals under the Choices for Independence program. The funding is a combination of Federal and state dollars. Locally, more than $200,000 needs to be raised annually to close the gap between the cost of the meal and the reimbursement rate from state and federal sources. The recent contract will run through June, 2027 and the reimbursement rate is not increasing, while the cost of food is. And now with the federal government slashing anything they deem costly or “unnecessary” the fate of a lot of these programs is anyone’s guess.
The Bureau of Aging and Adult Services has indicated there are state funds for Meals on Wheels in the state budget, but there hasn’t been any definite confirmation. The state of NH can even see fit to feed low-income school children a lunch, it remains to be seen how the state feels about feeding its elderly citizens.
Earlier this month, I joined Todd in delivering meals to residents in Keene before he finished his route in Hinsdale. Todd delivers meals five days a week and is genuinely interested in the well-being of all the recipients. I especially appreciated his opening the car door for me at every stop!
If you would like to learn more about this valuable and longstanding program, click this link: Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services - HCS
If you would like to dedicate some time for deliveries: HCS Main (603) 352-2253
Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services is located at: 312 Marlboro St. Keene, NH