Meals on Wheels People

Mission

We enrich the lives of seniors and assist them in maintaining independence by providing nutritious food, human connections, and social support. We also use our expertise and capacity to serve other nutritionally at-risk populations.

Bottom Line for Portland

In our city, known for its vibrant communities and strong sense of solidarity, there lies a hidden struggle. Thousands of our aging neighbors quietly face the harsh realities of food insecurity and social isolation. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

With a proven track record of continuous, reliable support to older adults and their families, Meals on Wheels People works alongside our volunteers, community partners, and generous supporters like you to drive meaningful change that brings us closer to a future where no senior goes hungry or experiences social isolation. In 2023, we delivered nearly 1.5 million meals to over 11,400 older adults and other nutritionally at-risk populations in the Portland-Vancouver metro area. This year, we’ve seen a 12.45% increase in meals served across all programs, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. The rising cost of living and reductions in SNAP benefits have only heightened the urgency of the mission. If we don’t act now, more seniors will face hunger and isolation.

You can help us continue to push forward our mission by supporting:

- Delivering nutritious meals and wellness check-ins to homebound older adults

- Providing social connections through weekly visits and Friendly Chats phone calls

- Expanding access to meals and services for all older adults in need

Quote

“It makes me feel good that somebody cares — that I’m not one of those statistics that nobody cares about. The people from Meals on Wheels People honestly care about me. And that’s important to all of us — that somebody cares about all of us.” — Vern, meal recipient and Friendly Chats recipient 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We are committed to feeding any older adult in need, regardless of immigration status, national origin, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. Access to our services is not dependent on proof of citizenship, and we welcome anyone age 60 or older who needs a meal.

In line with our commitment to equity, we created the role of community outreach manager, filled by Nim Xuto, as a direct result of our 2023 Community Equity Assessment. This assessment was aimed at understanding how we can better serve and build partnerships that support hunger relief and food security efforts for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), as well as immigrant and refugee communities.

Since joining us in December 2023, Nim has been actively engaging with diverse cultural communities to form long-term partnerships and gather input that guides our equity initiatives. She collaborates with community leaders, attends resource fairs, and works closely with staff to develop culturally specific food menus and review and translate program materials. We are making our dining centers more welcoming by integrating culturally significant celebrations and artwork, building trust through direct engagement with community-based organizations, and tailoring outreach to directly enroll community members in our programs. We know there are greater health disparities for ethnic communities, resulting in health care and medication challenges and costs that add to the economic squeeze on low-income older adults. Our community outreach manager, multilingual service coordinators, and staff are working hard in the community to build trust and ensure there are no barriers to program enrollment.

Incentives

Beginning Dec. 3, Jamba Juice will match all gifts, up to $5000. 

Partner(s)

A huge thank you to our dedicated community partners:

-New Seasons Market is a local grocery store chain that provides quality local food and brings the community together.

-Jamba Juice - For nearly 30 years, Jamba has brought the right, delicious ingredients to create whirl'd famous flavor served by friendly staff.

-The Commons Law Center provides legal help for everyday people - because no one should be denied the right to timely and affordable access to justice.

-Project Access NOW partners with the community to create equitable access to whole person care and social services and to advocate for systemic change.

-Love Our City provides reliable access to healthy and nutritious food to individuals and families facing food insecurity in our local community.