At one time, we volunteered with our local home-delivered meals program that served Ellis County through the Ellis County Committee on Aging. This program is no longer in place but we still support meal programs. While not directly afflilliated with the national Meals on Wheels, it served in a similar capacity. Meals on Wheels (MOW) is a non-profit, volunteer based service that addresses hunger through delivering nutritious midday meals to people who are elderly or disabled, homebound, and unable to prepare their own meals. These meals may be delivered individually to a home or in congregate to a location such as a Senior Center. While the emphasis is towards people age 60 and over, in most cases the only eligibility requirement is that a person be currently homebound, unable to prepare a nutritious meal, and not have anyone able to prepare a nutritious meal on a regular basis. Eligibility does not actually depend on age or income.

Did you know that hunger is more than just a rumbling emptiness in a stomach? Hunger at it's core is both an emotional and physical stress that, when prolonged, contributes to serious health problems and a substantial loss in the quality of life. Many factors contribute to hunger - including low income, chronic illnesses and lack of mobility. It has been estimated that nearly 60% of all MOW home-delivered meals go to those who report having three or more diagnosed, chronic illnesses or conditions!

The Meals on Wheels Association of America reports:

When low income is compounded with poor health, even more seniors have difficulty obtaining an adequate amount of food. 12.9%, or 4.9 million seniors, have incomes below the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty threshold; another 14% are considered poor, and are by all practical means financially disadvantaged. Although means tests are prohibited, it is estimated that one-third of congregate participants and nearly one-half of home delivered participants have family incomes below 100% of the poverty threshold.

The growth in elderly population numbers in the United States continues, increasing the demand for meal services. During the past century, the number of people over 65 has increased elevenfold, compared to a threefold for those under 65. Furthermore, the Census Bureau projects that the elderly population in the United States will total 80 million people by the year 2050. Those age 85 and older, the oldest age group, are the most rapidly growing and will represent one-quarter of all elderly by 2050. If we consider that this oldest age group currently represents over 26% of home-delivered meals participants, it is easy to forecast that as the total numbers of elderly increase, so will the strain on the already scarce resources of nutritional programs available to them.

MOW does feed seniors and the disabled in need, but it also offers so much more! Nearly 64% are so frail, sick or home-bound that they are not capable of leaving their homes for even one day a week. Isolation and loneliness are stresses no human being should endure. In delivering meals to homes, MOW volunteers provide a comforting smile and recognition that these individuals are deserving of our human compassion and concern. And congregate meal programs give their participants the opportunity ot socialize with others in their community. MOW programs offer friendship along with nutritional support.

MOW home-delivered and congregate meal programs help insure the nutritional well being of the nation's elderly and disabled, helping millions to live healthier, happier, and more independent lives. We urge you to consider donating time or money to your local MOW program!

•   Meals on Wheels Assoc.of America
•   The U.S. Administration on Aging
•   Texas Department of Human Resources
•   Meals On Wheels, Inc. of Tarrant County, Fort Worth, TX
•   Meals on Wheels of Johnson County, Cleburne, Texas
•   VNA of Texas - Meals on Wheels (Dallas)
•   Senior Citizens of Greater Dallas