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Meals on Wheels

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For the Hong Kong action movie starring Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung, see Wheels on Meals

Meals on Wheels on Wheels is the name for programs that deliver meals to individuals at home who are unable to purchase or prepare their own meals, and it is often used to generically refer to home-delivered meals programs, not all of which are actually named "Meals on Wheels." Because they are homebound, many of the recipients are the elderly; not surprisingly, most of the volunteers are also elderly but able bodied.

History

Meals on Wheels on Wheels originated in Great Britain during the the Blitz, when many people lost their homes and therefore the ability to cook their own food. The Women's Volunteer Service, WVS, for Civil Defence (later WRVS) provided food for these people. The name "Meals on Wheels" derived from the Women's Volunteer Service for Civil Defence's related activity of bringing meals to servicemen. The concept of delivering meals to those unable to prepare their own evolved into the modern programs that deliver mostly to the homebound elderly.

The first home delivery for a meal on wheel following the war, in the style we know today was made by the WVS in Hemel Hemstead, England in 1947. Many early services used old prams to transport the meals, using straw bails, and even old felt hats to keep the meals warm in transit.

The first home-delivered meal program in the United States started in 1954 in Philadelphia. Columbus, Ohio and Rochester, New York also pioneered Meals on Wheels in the U.S.

Modern programs

Today, Meals on Wheels on Wheels programs generally operate at the county level or smaller. Programs vary widely in their size, service provided, organization, and funding. The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is a national association for senior nutrition programs, but each program is entirely independent. There are also active Meals on Wheels programs in Canada, Australia and in the United Kingdom. The National Association of Care Catering (www.thenacc.co.uk) are a great source of information on UK Meals on Wheels services.

Most Meals on Wheels programs deliver meals warm and ready-to-eat, but some programs deliver deep-frozen meals. Depending on the program, meals may be delivered by paid drivers or by volunteers. In addition to providing nutrition to sustain the health of a client, a meal delivery by a Meals on Wheels driver or volunteer also serves a safety check and source of companionship for the client.

Most clients of Meals on Wheels programs are elderly, and programs receiving federal funding may not serve people less than 60 years old. In the US, Federally funded programs may only request voluntary contributions from clients, while other programs often charge a moderate fee for service. Regardless of their sources of funding, eligibility for most programs is determined solely by medical need, with financial need and actual ability to pay not making a difference either way.

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