Meals On Wheels

Meals On Wheels is a nutrition program for homebound senior adults. Lunches are prepared and delivered on: Monday/Wednesday/Friday; Monday through Friday; or Tuesday and Thursday from twenty-three sites in Waco. In Falls, Hill, and McLennan Counties, the meals are served from Senior Centers. Additionally, Meals On Wheels offers a supplementary dietary program (Ensure Plus) when a doctor's prescription is provided.

Whom do we serve? Meals on Wheels serves over 750 clients in the Waco area. To qualify for the program, clients must be over 60, homebound, and unable to cook nutritionally complete meals. They also cannot have someone (such as a family member or home-health worker) available to cook lunch for them. Spouses and disabled dependents of clients may qualify for our services.

Most of our clients are over 80, have low-income, and live alone. The majority are female, and many have no local family members available to care for them.

How do I refer someone for Meals on Wheels? If you know individuals who would benefit from our services, please call Central Texas Senior Ministry at 752-0316. A member of our assessment staff will conduct a home visit to explain the program and to complete our assessment questionnaire. Our office will notify approved applicants shortly after the interview to let them know when meal service will begin. Meals are served either three or five days a week, depending on the client's need and availability of volunteers.

What do we serve? Meals on Wheels delivers a hot lunch, meeting 1/3 of the RDA (recommended daily allowances) for older adults. The meal generally consists of an entree, two servings of vegetables or fruit, dessert, milk, bread, and condiments. All meals are moderate in fat, salt, and sugar content. Diabetic meals are available. All menus are prepared by a registered dietitian.

Who pays for the meals? The federal government funds a small portion of our costs through the Older Americans Act and the USDA. The remaining meal cost is funded through client contributions, local churches, foundation grants, and local donors. Clients are encouraged to contribute $1.50 for each meal they receive; but no one is required to contribute, and no one is ever denied services based upon inability to contribute. We encourage recipients to give as they are able.

Contact Email: ezorn@seniorministry.org