How to Help Seniors: Ways to Give That Fit Your Life

How to Help Seniors: Ways to Give That Fit Your Life

A parent who always made room at the table. A neighbor who checked in on everyone. A grandparent who never let you leave hungry.

For many of us, the desire to help older adults starts with someone we love. Giving is a way to carry that care forward, and help make sure more seniors have the nourishment and connection they need.

If you’re exploring ways to give to charity this year, Meals on Wheels America offers options for different budgets, circumstances and stages of life. From a monthly donation to a gift of cryptocurrency, you can choose an approach that feels right for you.

Your support strengthens the Meals on Wheels network and helps local providers serve older adults facing hunger and isolation. Here are the ways you can take part.

Make a donation that fits your budget

Give online, by mail or by phone

A one-time donation is a simple place to start. Choose an amount that works for you and give online using a credit card, debit card, ACH bank payment, Apple Pay or Google Pay.

Prefer to write a check or speak with someone? You can also donate by mail or phone. Visit our Ways to Give page for the current mailing address and contact information.

Become a monthly donor

A monthly gift turns your commitment to seniors into ongoing support. Through the Next Meal Club, you can make giving part of your routine while helping sustain Meals on Wheels America’s work throughout the year.

It’s an option for people who prefer to spread their giving across the calendar. Explore monthly giving.

Give in someone’s honor or memory

Some gifts carry a story.

A donation in someone’s honor can celebrate a birthday, recognize a milestone or thank a person who has made your life better. A memorial gift can honor a loved one’s memory by extending care to others.

To dedicate your contribution, select the honor or memory option when you make your donation. Give through PayPal

If PayPal is your preferred way to give, you can support Meals on Wheels America through our PayPal Giving Fund page.

Support seniors through your workplace

Give through payroll

Your workday may offer a convenient way to support a cause you care about. Through participating workplace giving programs, you can contribute to Meals on Wheels America directly from your paycheck.

Ask your human resources or payroll team how to get started and select Meals on Wheels America as your chosen organization. Learn about workplace giving.

Ask about employer matching

Your donation may be eligible for a matching contribution from your employer. Some companies match employee gifts, increasing the support your donation makes possible.

Check your company’s requirements, deadlines and submission process to see whether your gift qualifies.

Give through the Combined Federal Campaign

Eligible federal employees and military personnel can support Meals on Wheels America through the Combined Federal Campaign, using CFC code 10540.

Learn how to give through the CFC.

Explore other resources you can give

You may have resources beyond your everyday spending account that you’d like to use to help seniors. Investments, charitable accounts and property can all be part of your giving plans.

Recommend a grant from your donor-advised fund

If you have a donor-advised fund, or DAF, you’ve already set aside resources for charitable giving. Recommending a grant to Meals on Wheels America puts those resources to work for older adults.

You can ask your fund administrator about a one-time grant or recurring grants. Use our tax identification number, 23-7447812, to help identify the organization.

Explore giving through a donor-advised fund.

Donate stocks, bonds or mutual funds

A gift of securities is another way to support Meals on Wheels America. If you own stocks, bonds or mutual funds, you can explore contributing them as part of your charitable giving.

Before initiating a transfer, review our instructions and coordinate with your financial institution so your gift can be received and acknowledged.

Learn about donating securities.

Arrange a bank transfer

If you prefer to arrange your donation directly through your bank, you can also make a gift by bank or wire transfer.

Our stock and bank transfer page provides information to help you get started.

Give cryptocurrency

Meals on Wheels America now accepts cryptocurrency donations, offering another way to support older adults.

If you hold cryptocurrency and have been considering using some of it for charitable giving, you can make seniors part of that decision. Your gift supports the same mission: strengthening the Meals on Wheels network and helping address senior hunger and isolation.

Visit our Ways to Give page to explore your giving options.

Explore a gift from your IRA

For eligible donors, an Individual Retirement Account can provide another avenue for charitable giving through a qualified charitable distribution, often called a QCD.

Your IRA administrator or tax advisor can help you understand the requirements and determine whether this option fits your circumstances.

Learn about IRA giving.

Donate a vehicle

A vehicle you no longer need could become support for seniors.

Meals on Wheels America’s vehicle donation program considers cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, RVs and many other types of vehicles—including vehicles that no longer run.

Explore vehicle donations to learn about eligibility and the donation process.

Donate real estate

Property can also be part of your charitable plans. Meals on Wheels America’s real estate donation program may be able to accept residential property, commercial property or vacant land.

If this is an option you’re considering, connect with the program to discuss your property and the steps involved.

Learn about donating real estate.

Make caring for seniors part of your legacy

Include a gift in your will or living trust

Your commitment to older adults can continue through a gift in your will or living trust. It’s a way to make the care and connection you value part of the legacy you leave.

Explore gifts in a will or living trust.

Name Meals on Wheels America as a beneficiary

You may also be able to name Meals on Wheels America as a beneficiary of a retirement plan, IRA, life insurance policy, bank or brokerage account, commercial annuity or donor-advised fund.

Your account or plan administrator can explain the available options and help you document your wishes.

Learn about beneficiary gifts.

Consider other planned gifts

If you’re considering a charitable remainder trust or another planned giving arrangement, connect with Meals on Wheels America to discuss your intentions.

Supporters who include the organization in their estate plans can also let us know and join the Legacy Circle, our community recognizing those who have made a commitment to seniors’ futures.

Learn about the Legacy Circle.

For gifts involving investments, retirement accounts, property or estate plans, your financial, tax or legal advisor can help you evaluate what fits your circumstances. Our tax-wise giving resources offer a place to begin.

Deepen your commitment through the Leadership Circle

When your contributions to Meals on Wheels America total $1,000 or more in a calendar year, you become part of the Leadership Circle.

Whether you reach that amount through one contribution or gifts over time, your support helps advance our work for older adults. Members receive special updates and opportunities to stay connected to the mission.

Learn about the Leadership Circle.

Find your way to make a difference

The way you give can reflect your life today and the future you hope to help create.

It might be a monthly donation you plan into your budget, a gift in memory of someone you miss or a resource you’re ready to put to a new purpose. Each is a way to stand alongside older adults who deserve nourishment, independence and connection.

Find your way to give to Meals on Wheels America.