FAQs
How long have you been around?
In 1987, Meals on Wheels Chicago, represented by community leaders and concerned citizens, partnered with its' primary community affiliate, the City of Chicago, to address the unmet nutritional needs of the cities homebound elderly and disabled.
Meals on Wheels Chicago raises the funding necessary to deliver Holiday Meals, Short Term Immediate meals, Weekend Meals, and Home Modification-and we've been doing so for 20 years!
What do you do?
It is our mission to ensure homebound senior citizens and disabled Chicagoans maintain dignified and independent lifestyles by providing them with warm nutritious meals and related services. Meals on Wheels Chicago raises funding for the following programs: Holiday Meals, Short Term Immediate Meals, Weekend Meals, and Home Modification.
Our Home Delivered Meals program provides isolated and homebound seniors the opportunity to secure a more stable home environment, thus improving their over-all quality of life. Home Delivered Meals recipients receive two complete meals; lunch and dinner.
Our HomeMod program provides financial assistance to qualifying individuals with disabilities for structural alterations that increase the accessibility of homes or apartments.
How do you do it?
Meals on Wheels Chicago grants money to the Chicago Department of Senior Service to cover the expenses of their Holiday, Weekend, and Emergency meals program. With that funding, the department is able to work in cooperation with Open Kitchens, a state-of-the-art food production facility that has the resources and flexibility to produce a cost-efficient, three-tiered food plan of hot, chilled and frozen meals. Open Kitchens delivers the meals to recipients.
We also grant money to the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, for the HomeModification program. We fully support the department's mission to transform Chicago into the most accessible city in the nation. To date, more than 400 homes have been made accessible at a rate of 1 home completed every 3.6 days by the HomeMod program.
How is the program funded?
Meals on Wheels Chicago is committed to raising funds through special events, private funding, and individual contributions. For over twenty years, Meals on Wheels Chicago has raised millions of dollars to address these unmet needs and has maintained our mission to assist seniors and disabled Chicagoans find dignity and independence.
How can I get involved with Meals on Wheels Chicago?
Donate: Each year, thousands of individuals, employees, and companies make financial contributions to Meals on Wheels Chicago that enable us to serve our senior and disabled population. We thank our entire roster of donors and welcome new contributions.
Sponsor: Meals on Wheels Chicago hosts a variety of events throughout the year that require the assistance of event sponsors. Event sponsors support our mission and make either financial or in-kind contributions that enable the organization to execute memorable galas, tournaments, and performances. In return, Meals on Wheels Chicago makes a concerted effort to promote company and individual sponsors through event signage, marketing materials, and complimentary event tickets.
Volunteer: Meals on Wheels Chicago is very fortunate to have a solid and dedicated roster of volunteers who assist us throughout the year. Because our events tend to vary in scope, we require anywhere from 20 to 200 volunteers per event. As our organization and the demand for our services continue to grow, our goal is to grow our volunteer base as well.