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End the Wait™: A Three-Part Series on Meals on Wheels Waitlists

Every day, tens of thousands of older adults are told they must wait for Meals on Wheels. This three-part series shares powerful stories that reveal the human cost of waitlists—hunger, health decline, unsafe choices, and families stretched thin. These stories are a call to action: to increase funding so no senior has to wait for the meals, safety checks and companionship they deserve.

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Seniors Waiting for Their Lifeline: Hope After the Wait
Seniors Waiting for Their Lifeline: Hope After the Wait

At 77, Mildred risked her life crossing a Texas highway for food while waiting six months for Meals on Wheels. Her story captures the heartbreaking reality of seniors waiting ...

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Juan Lopez’s Story: A Veteran’s Home Restored
Juan Lopez’s Story: A Veteran’s Home Restored

U.S. Army and Air Force veteran Juan Lopez can age safely in his Texas home thanks to the Helping Homebound Heroes program, a long-standing collaboration between Meals on Whee...

Veterans Waiting for Meals: A Battle No One Should Fight
Veterans Waiting for Meals: A Battle No One Should Fight

After returning home from Afghanistan, Rodney faced a new battle — hunger and isolation. Like many veterans waiting for meals, he spent months on a waitlist before finally r...

Five Months of Hunger: Donna and Mynette’s Wait for Meals
Black woman looking at table with a small amount of food - Seniors Waiting for Meals in North Carolina
Five Months of Hunger: Donna and Mynette’s Wait for Meals

After losing their home, sisters Donna and Mynette struggled to survive while waiting five months for Meals on Wheels in North Carolina. Their story reflects the painful reali...

End the Wait, Part 3: The Weight Falls on Families
Donna in the kitchen - End the Wait - Year End Blog
End the Wait, Part 3: The Weight Falls on Families

When funding falls short, caregivers waiting for meals face heartbreaking choices. Darlene and Henry’s story reveals the toll of underfunding — and why we must End the Wai...

End the Wait™, Part 1: Fighting Back Against the Odds
Woman waiting in front of an empty dinner plate with a very long knitted scarf
End the Wait™, Part 1: Fighting Back Against the Odds

Betty waited months, Satish endured three years, and Linda skipped meals to keep her lights on. These stories show the devastating reality of senior hunger and waitlists—and...

The Unwavering Donald Sullivan
Man sitting in chair - Donald Sullivan - Oklahoma Veteran
The Unwavering Donald Sullivan

At nearly 99, Donald Sullivan, a U.S. Army veteran from Oklahoma City, faces mounting health challenges and limited mobility. Meals on Wheels Oklahoma City provides him with n...

Nutritious Meals Help Senior Regain Health and Independence
Nutritious Meals Help Senior Regain Health and Independence

After losing his sight at 54, retired teacher Robert Vinton faced challenges cooking and eating healthy meals on his own. A six-month waitlist delayed his access to Meals on W...

A Trail of Goodness
A Trail of Goodness

For more than two decades, Bob Starkes has been a lifeline for homebound seniors, delivering not just meals but companionship and care. Inspired by his father’s example, Bob...

The State of Volunteerism in America
The State of Volunteerism in America

Volunteers are the driving force behind Meals on Wheels, delivering nutritious meals, wellness checks, and companionship to millions of seniors each year. But with volunteeris...

Kali Mae and Me: How Meals on Wheels Helped Us Stay Together
Older Adult Holding Dog
Kali Mae and Me: How Meals on Wheels Helped Us Stay Together

When vision loss left Sharon isolated and struggling, Meals on Wheels stepped in with meals for her and pet care for her beloved dog, Kali Mae. Learn how Meals on Wheels partn...

Mrs. Janie
Mrs. Janie, Meals on Wheels Client, receiving meal from volunteer at door - Meals on Wheels senior independence
Mrs. Janie

Mrs. Janie Tope-Dawes, a 93-year-old Texan, once a poet, model, and secretary, faced deep isolation and health challenges after losing her husband and suffering a stroke. Livi...