Meals on Wheels facts for kids
Meals on Wheels is a special program that delivers warm, healthy meals right to people's homes. It helps individuals who find it hard to buy or cook their own food. Many of the people who receive meals are elderly, and many of the helpers are also older adults who can drive.
Studies show that these meal delivery programs greatly improve what people eat. They also help reduce hunger and make life better for those who receive meals. These programs can even save money for governments. This is because they help people stay healthy at home instead of needing expensive hospital or nursing home care.
History of Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels first started in the United Kingdom during the Blitz in the Second World War. Many people lost their homes and could not cook for themselves. The Women's Volunteer Service (WVS) began providing food to these people. The name "Meals on Wheels" came from how they delivered the food. They used prams, carts, bicycles, and cars. Over time, this idea grew into the modern programs we see today. These programs mostly deliver meals to elderly people who cannot leave their homes. Sometimes the meals are free, or they cost only a small amount.
First Meals in the UK (1943)
The first home delivery of a meal on wheels after World War II happened in Hemel Hempstead, England, in 1943. Early services often used old prams to carry the meals. They used things like straw to keep the food warm while it was being delivered.
Today, many places in the UK have changed how they deliver meals. Instead of fresh, hot food, they often deliver frozen meals that people can reheat.
Meals on Wheels in Australia (1953)
Doris Irene Taylor started Meals on Wheels in South Australia in 1953. The first meal was served from the Port Adelaide kitchen in 1954.
In New South Wales, Meals on Wheels began in March 1957. The Sydney City Council cooked the first meals in the Town Hall kitchen. Meals on Wheels is now a very active group of organizations across Australia.
Meals on Wheels in Canada (1963)
The Red Cross Meals on Wheels program started in Canada in 1963. This happened after Elsie Matthews from Brantford, Ontario, suggested the idea. She had seen a similar program in England. In its first year, the program delivered meals to 12 people each week.
Other cities like Brampton and Montreal also started their own programs around the same time. These groups often relied on many volunteers to prepare and deliver meals.
Meals on Wheels in Ireland (1971)
The first meals in Ireland were delivered in Longford in 1971. County Longford Social Services organized this. They used a special mobile kitchen to distribute the meals. Local children even helped raise money for the kitchen.
Volunteers delivered meals to about 400 people, mostly elderly or disabled. The meals were free and supported by local funds.
Modern Programs
Today, Meals on Wheels programs usually work at a local level. Their size, services, and funding can be very different.
You can find Meals on Wheels programs in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Most programs deliver meals that are hot and ready to eat. Some deliver cold meals that can be microwaved later. Others provide deep-frozen meals.
Sometimes, programs give an extra frozen meal before weekends or holidays when there are no deliveries. Paid drivers or volunteers deliver the meals. Besides providing healthy food, these visits also help check on the client's safety. They can also offer a friendly chat.
Most people who get Meals on Wheels are elderly. But others who cannot shop or cook for themselves can also get help. This includes their pets too! In the United States, there is a program for homebound people under 60. This requires a doctor's note and a small fee. Most programs decide who can get meals based on their need for good food, not how much money they have.
Meals on Wheels in the United Kingdom
In Suffolk, the program is called "Community Meals." These services help people who have trouble cooking for themselves. They can get daily hot meals, chilled meals, or weekly frozen meals. A charity called Aspect Living Foundation now runs the service in Suffolk.
Other groups like the WRVS also help the elderly. Some local councils now use private companies to deliver frozen meals. In 2018, the traditional Meals on Wheels service was mostly stopped in the UK. However, private frozen meal services still exist.
Wolverhampton Council decided to expand its service. Now, anyone in the city can order Meals on Wheels. They can get meals for one day a week, every day, or for a set time, like after an operation.
Meals on Wheels in Canada
Halifax Meals on Wheels in Nova Scotia has 68 programs. More than 600 volunteers deliver about 3,400 meals each week. The city and United Way help fund the service. Nursing homes, hospitals, restaurants, and private homes provide many of the meals.
This program is not just for the elderly. People of any age can use it if they are recovering from a hospital stay. People with disabilities also use the program when cooking becomes difficult.
In 2020, Halal Meals on Wheels started in Toronto. This program provides meals that follow Islamic dietary rules. It helps serve specific cultural needs in the community.
One unique program in Montreal is Santropol Roulant. Young volunteers mostly run it. They deliver meals on foot, by bicycle, and by hybrid car.
Meals on Wheels in Ireland
Longford
In Longford (as of 2016), vans still deliver meals. They deliver hot soup and chilled main courses and desserts. People use microwave ovens to reheat the dinners. Meals are provided every day of the year.
Other Areas
A study in 2008 found that most of Ireland has Meals on Wheels services. Many of these are charities. Most services cover a parish or a slightly larger area.
Meals on Wheels in the United States
The first program in the United States began in Philadelphia in 1954. A social worker named Margaret Toy started it.
The Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is a large organization in the US. It helps groups that provide meals to seniors who are hungry or at risk of hunger. MOWAA is a non-profit group. In 2016, Meals on Wheels gave about 218 million meals to 2.5 million Americans. About 500,000 of these people were veterans.
Citymeals-on-Wheels serves New York City. In 2008, Citymeals delivered over 2.1 million meals to more than 17,000 elderly people. Over 1,500 volunteers spent many hours visiting and delivering meals. Gael Greene and James Beard started Citymeals-on-Wheels in 1981. They wanted to help elderly New Yorkers who had no food on weekends and holidays. They raised money from friends in the restaurant world.
A study in 2007 found that over 5 million seniors in the United States sometimes do not have enough food. This means they face some form of food insecurity. Certain groups of seniors are more likely to be at risk of hunger. This includes those with lower incomes or those living alone.
In March 2017, there were talks about cutting funding for programs like Meals on Wheels. Some officials questioned if the program was showing enough results.
Foodnet Meals on Wheels in Tompkins County, New York provides meals and healthcare services for older adults. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they changed their delivery schedule. People received a hot meal one day and a frozen meal for the next day. They also offered nutrition advice over the phone.
Impact of Meals on Wheels
A study in 2013 looked at how home-delivered meal programs help people. It found that these programs greatly improve the quality of people's diets. They also help people get more nutrients and reduce hunger.
Other good things that come from these programs include more chances for people to socialize. They also help people stick to healthy eating plans. Most importantly, they improve the quality of life for those who receive meals. These programs help older adults stay independent and live in their own homes longer. This can prevent them from needing to move into nursing homes.
See also
- Food preferences in older adults and seniors
- Meals on Wheels Association of America
