Random thoughts from the moose cave.

...it's a lot like having a verra large toddler...

and I dint have to drag him out and around in the triple digit hell we are in...

except that my toddler smokes like a chimney, and swears like a sailor.

and still has that dang cane to shake about...

Meals on Wheels delivers much more than just a well-balanced meal. It also delivers:

A friendly face - Volunteers enjoy delivering meals, and meal recipients enjoy the daily contact with those volunteers. For some, the Meals on Wheels volunteer may be the only person a homebound senior might see each day.

Peace of Mind - Children, other family members and friends of homebound seniors rest assured that if they cannot check up on the senior each day, the Meals on Wheels volunteer makes sure that everything is all right.

Independence - Meals on Wheels allows seniors to remain in their own homes and in their own neighborhoods rather than in assisted living facilities or nursing homes. It allows them to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible.

Who is eligible for Meals on Wheels?

Applicants must be Sedgwick County residents age 60 or over. They must be homebound, unable to attend a Good Neighbor Nutrition Site, unable to cook for themselves and have no one regularly available to cook for them.

Limited funding is available to serve persons under 60 who have physical disabilities that keep them from preparing meals for themselves.

Eligibility is not based on ability or inability to pay.


How do I apply?

Call 267-0122 to schedule an assessment. Referrals for service can come form virtually any source: doctors, social workers, neighbors, relatives or friends. Or you may call to set up service for yourself. A Senior Services social worker will visit with you in the home to determine eligibility and to explain the program.


Frequently Asked Questions about Delivery

When are meals delivered?

Meals are delivered between 10:00 a.m. and 1 p.m.
You must be at home to accept the meal. Meals will not be left outside or with neighbors.
Please call ahead of time if you know you are not going to be home to receive a meal.
Meals are not delivered on weekends except to those considered most frail and at risk of institutionalization. Clients receive frozen or shelf stable meals for holidays during which there is no regular delivery.

Can I receive Meals on Wheels only for a little while?

Yes. Most Meals clients receive meals on a permanent basis, but some clients apply for meals only for short periods. People recovering from hospitalizations for example, may ask for meals for only a few weeks.


Who pays for Meals On Wheels?

While all recipients are encouraged to donate toward the costs of meals, no one is denied service based on income. The program is partially funded by federal, state and Sedgwick County resources as well as United Way of the Plains. The program depends on private contributions for the remainder of its operating costs.