Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island Celebrates 50 Years
In all the years that we’ve been writing “News You Can Use” for Rhode Island seniors and their families, we’ve been remiss in not highlighting one particular organization: Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island. This year the organization is celebrating 50 years of service, so it is a fitting time to take a look at all the important work it does.
The “Meals on Wheels” concept was founded in Australia in 1953 by Doris Taylor, who understood the importance of independence and aging in place for seniors. Her program saw volunteers deliver hot meals to elderly residents in Port Adelaide, and “the daily visits also provided an important social contact with the outside world.” The idea quickly spread throughout the world. By 1969, Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island was established, alongside similar groups in many other states.
Today Meals on Wheels of RI provides food security to seniors throughout the state, thanks to a team of staff and dedicated volunteers. In July, the organization delivered its 19 millionth meal!
Seniors or other homebound individuals who meet the criteria for the Home-Delivered Meal program can receive a lunch-time meal five times a week. A suggested donation of $3 per meal is encouraged, but no one is turned away because of an inability to pay. Meals are delivered to the recipients by volunteers, generally between 10am and 2pm. But a hot lunch is only part of the Meals of Wheels model. The visit also provides a life-saving safety check es) and much-needed socialization.
According to Meals on Wheels, seniors receiving daily-delivered meals are more likely to report improvements in mental and physical health, reductions in feelings of isolation and anxiety about being about to remain at home, and lower rates of hospitalization and falls.
While Meals on Wheels of RI does receive some state and federal funding, it relies heavily on donations from meal recipients and thousands of individuals, businesses, and other organizations. To celebrate their 50th year, a new fundraising event called Festival of Meals will take place in November. The event will include tastings, cocktails, auctions and a culinary competition.
In addition to donations, the organization is always is need of volunteers. Volunteer commitments can be as little as a few hours, once a week.
There’s no doubt: the work Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island does is invaluable. Here’s to another 50 years!
Did you know?
- In 2018, Meals on Wheels served more than 301,000 meals and provided safety checks for 2,446 Rhode Islanders using more than 700 volunteers through 79 weekday routes (Valley Breeze)
- Meals on Wheels also runs eight “Capital City Cafés” in Providence, offers senior restaurant vouchers by donation, and has a Pet Food Program to ensure four-legged companions are fed, too.