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

Donating to Meals on Wheels People ensures that older adults in our community receive the nutrition, friendly chats, and social connections they need to remain at home, where they want to be. Your generosity will be felt by many older adults who need us now, more than ever.

For many, the meal we deliver is the only food they have in a day, and the visit from a volunteer is the only contact they have with another person all day. The meal and friendly visit are often what allows them to remain independent and living in their own homes.

In 2022, we delivered over 1.2 million meals to nearly 9,000 older adults and other nutritionally at-risk populations in the Portland-Vancouver metro area. We can serve a senior for an entire year for roughly the same cost as a day in the hospital or 10 in a nursing home.

Last year, meal recipients told us that our services helped them:

• -Improve their physical and mental health
• -Increase their ability to manage chronic conditions
• -Significantly reduce stress and depression
• -Reduce the rates of falls
• -Improve feelings of isolation and loneliness
• -Reduce worrying about being able to remain at home
• -Improve their overall quality of life
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We help older adults age with greater dignity, respect, independence, and vitality – and the taxpayer spending saved by keeping older adults in their homes instead of in hospitals and nursing homes is felt right here in this community.

Quote

1. “Inflation caused a great change in my life. I’m alive because of what you guys do. I probably was going to starve to death. Now, I’ve got actual real food to eat every day.”
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- Mary, Meal Recipient

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We are committed to feeding any older adult in need, regardless of their immigration status, national origin, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. Access to services is not dependent on proof of citizenship or immigration status, nor do we ask anyone their status. Anyone age 60 or older and in need of a meal is welcome. We understand the fear due to federal immigration issues, and our multilingual service coordinators and staff are working hard in the community to build trust and ensure there are no barriers to program enrollment. We utilize culturally appropriate and sensitive communication, often relying on respected leaders within those communities, to help us reach out to marginalized and underserved communities. We know there are greater health disparities for these ethnic communities, resulting in health care and medication challenges and costs that add to the economic squeeze on low-income older adults.

Incentives

Any donation of $100 or more will receive a free milkshake from Burgerville.

The first 250 people to donate $50 or more will receive a free slice of pizza from Sizzle Pie.

Any donation over $25 will receive a free small fries from Burgerville.

New Seasons will match all gifts made on 12/18 up to $2,200.

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.

-Sizzle Pie is a local pizza chain that dishes up quality, fresh, handmade pies every day.

• -Burgerville is a local PNW fast food chain that serves burgers, fries and shakes made with ingredients from local farmers, ranchers and producers.
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• -APANO unites Asians and Pacific Islanders to build power, develop leaders, and advance equity through organizing, advocacy, community development, and cultural work.