Why Meals on Wheels?

Since 1974 Meals on Wheels of Wake County has provided a daily meal to our homebound older adult and disabled neighbors. Each meal is given to a person who has lived a full and productive life.  They have spent their lifetime helping others.  Now they need our help.
 
Miss P’s career was in high gear when she was diagnosed with MS.  A rapid progression of the disease forced her to retire early and she is now confined to a wheelchair.  Miss E. was looking forward to her retirement years when she had to have both legs amputated beneath her knees.  Miss R. is dealing with the affects of crippling rheumatoid arthritis and cannot cook for herself.  The stories could go on and on.  The reality is that because these clients receive a daily meal and a visit from a caring volunteer they are able to remain living independently in their own home.
 
Recently there has been a lot of news about senior hunger. It is a major issue for many seniors, especially in North Carolina.  According to a recent Meals on Wheels Association of America study, North Carolina ranks 3rd in the nation in the percentage of food insecure adults.
 
Senior hunger has very real consequences.  Living with food insecurity is the equivalent of adding 14 physical years to a person’s chronological age. Older adults are less able to perform basic activities of daily living and are in poorer health if they are living with food insecurity.
 
Meals on Wheels plays an important role in reducing food insecurity by delivering hot, nutritious meals.  Our social network helps to promote independent living and to improve the quality
of life for our participants.
 
At Meals on Wheels our goals are simple.  We provide our participants with a daily, nutritious hot meal that improves health and diet; a daily check-up and visit that makes them feel safer in their homes; and the opportunity to continue living independently, with dignity, in their own home.
 
A Meals on Wheels volunteer delivers a hot, nutritious noontime meal every Monday through Friday to our 1,300 clients.  Some clients utilize our service while recovering from illness or surgery, others need meals indefinitely. Our clients receive the meals regardless of their ability to pay.  We deliver meals throughout Wake County, including the following towns: Cary, Apex, Garner, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Raleigh, Zebulon, Rolesville, Wake Forest, Morrisville, Wendell, and Knightdale. Our senior dining program serves anyone who is 60 or older and can get to one of our eight dining sites located throughout Wake County. You must call first for a reservation and complete an application when you arrive.