Skip To The Main Content
Subscribe DONATE

    Meals on Wheels America COVID-19 Response


     
    KEEPING SENIORS SAFE AMID COVID-19

    Vulnerable seniors are at the greatest risk amid COVID-19. Local Meals on Wheels programs are on the front lines every day, focused on doing all they can to keep older Americans safe and nourished in communities across the country. The costs and efforts needed to protect seniors from COVID-19 require additional emergency funds, and that is why we are asking federal lawmakers, corporations, foundations and the general public to remember these vulnerable seniors in our national response. We’re monitoring the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation and will continue to share updates as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we ask for your help.
     
     
     

    IMPACT WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST

    When COVID-19 hit, millions of older adults found themselves more vulnerable and in need of urgent support, practically overnight. Meals on Wheels rose to the challenge to deliver 19 million more meals and an additional one million seniors.

    By July 2020, the Meals on Wheels COVID-19 Response Fund enabled us to successfully scale our efforts to serve 47% more seniors than pre-pandemic and increased the number of meals we distributed by 77%.

    Meals on Wheels America sent $31.3 million directly to the frontlines during the pandemic. That’s more than 1,000 grants to support 628 local communities. Our impact spanned the nation and went into the communities that needed it most.
     
    Make Good Go Further Impact Map
    Thanks to incredible generosity, we’ve been able to provide healthy meals, human connection and a watchful eye for millions of seniors. That's why we've launched a campaign, Make Good Go Further™, to celebrate the good our community made happen for seniors threatened by COVID-19.

    And, our work has just begun. We still need to safely serve seniors in need through the end of the pandemic and long into the future.
     

    OUR RESEARCH
    MAKE GOOD GO FURTHER

    DONATE NOW TO SUPPORT YOUR SENIOR NEIGHBORS

    SCALING THE SAFETY NET FOR SENIORS

    As we chart a way out of the COVID-19 crisis and towards a more stable future, we lead the national network of local programs determined to combat senior isolation and hunger. This success requires financial sustainability, so we’ve launched the Go Further Fund. This fund will directly help scale our vital lifeline for older adults by supporting communities in crisis, building capacity and driving innovation to enable our nation will tackle these issues head-on.

    Go Further Fund
    The Meals on Wheels Go Further Fund will help ensure local communities have what they need to continue to deliver a vital lifeline to our most at-risk Americans.

    If you’re interested in exploring partnership opportunities, including investing in the Go Further Fund, please contact kristine@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or 301-233-9998.
     

    DONATE

    LEARN MORE

    NATIONAL RESPONSE

    Meals on Wheels serves an incredibly vulnerable population and is often the primary lifeline delivering so much more than just a meal, especially in uncertain times. Across the country, local programs continue to adapt to the evolving COVID-19 situation, taking precautions to protect these high-risk individuals, while still responding to surging demand for nutritious meals, basic living and social needs and other support services. With decades of experience supporting homebound and at-risk seniors, Meals on Wheels programs are pitching in wherever possible to support vaccination efforts and partnering with local health departments. This may include education and outreach around the COVID-19 vaccine, assistance with scheduling appointments, providing transportation to vaccination sites and more. To find your local Meals on Wheels program, click here. For more information on vaccines, visit vaccinefinder.org.

    THE FIGHT FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING

    We are urging the Administration and Congress to ensure local senior nutrition programs are adequately resourced. It is critical that these community-based programs have access to supplemental federal funding and clear, timely emergency guidance.
     
    Meals on Wheels America President and CEO Ellie Hollander and National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) Executive Director Bob Blancato have released a number of joint statements regarding the federal response to the COVID-19 crisis, including most recently:

    Since the onset of the pandemic, Congress has passed several COVID-19 relief packages that have delivered much-needed emergency funding senior nutrition programs nationwide. The funding provided in these packages has helped local Meals on Wheels programs try to address the sustained demand for services in their communities. As unmet need persists, we are advocating for increased federal funding for OAA nutrition programs in Fiscal Year 2022, as well as other necessary funding and resources to provide ongoing critical nutrition and social support to older Americans in need. Learn more here.

    Meals on Wheels America

    CURRENT CDC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AT-RISK OLDER ADULTS

    Like many illnesses, older adults face higher risks of contracting COVID-19 and/or experiencing complications, particularly if they also have chronic medical conditions. According to CDC, if you are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, you should:

    We encourage concerned individuals to follow state and local health department communications for the best information and accurate instructions for each unique community.

    SIMPLE WAYS YOU CAN HELP

    Take precautions around high-risk individuals

    Whether you’re visiting your grandparents or volunteering for Meals on Wheels, please follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on how to protect yourself and individuals at risk of serious illness from COVID-19.

    EMAIL CONGRESS TO URGE FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF

    Email your Senators and Representative and urge them to swiftly pass COVID-19 legislation that includes emergency funding for Meals on Wheels. 

    Contact your at-risk loved ones and neighbors

    Now is the time to call, text or email your older neighbors and loved ones to see what they might need to be prepared. Let them know you’re thinking about them and that you’re available to help, should they need it. 
     

    Reach out to your local Meals on Wheels provider

    Each individual Meals on Wheels provider is unique in the specific support they may need at this time. We encourage you to reach out to the providers in your area to learn more about how best to support them during this time. 

    FIND YOUR LOCAL PROVIDER

     

    SHARE ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS

    The quickest and easiest way to help spread the word is to share information to your social media channels. With just a few clicks you can make a difference for seniors in need. And, please personalize and share your own stories, photos and experiences as much as possible along the way.
     
    How to Help Seniors Amid COVID-19

    LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT WE DO

    Our suite of National Fact Sheets tells the story of senior hunger, isolation and poverty around the country and highlights how Meals on Wheels is helping to address these rapidly growing issues. Download the 2020 versions below:

    THE ESCALATING PROBLEM OF SENIOR HUNGER & ISOLATION

    2020Issue_Screenshot

    DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET
    SOURCES & METHODS

    DELIVERING SO MUCH
    MORE THAN JUST A MEAL

    2020Deliver_Screenshot

    DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET
    SOURCES & METHODS

    HOW MEALS ON WHEELS
    IS FUNDED

    2020Funding_Screenshot

    DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET
    SOURCES & METHODS

    STAY CONNECTED

    We’re monitoring the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation and will continue to add resources, updates and ways you can help as they become available. You can sign up to receive regular updates on our efforts to support seniors in need.

    Please visit Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization for additional updates and resources. We encourage concerned individuals to follow state and local health department communications for the best information and accurate instructions for each unique community.

    Are you a local senior nutrition program? Access all the resources your Membership provides here or join today.

    For general questions, please contact us at info@mealsonwheelsamerica.org or 1-888-998-6325. For national press inquiries, please contact press@mealsonwheelsamerica.org.

    Bruce, Meals on Wheels Client

    AMERICA'S SENIORS NEED YOU

    Every knock delivers the food, compassion and care that our aging neighbors need.

    DONATE NOW