Meals On Wheels

Meals On Wheels

More Than Just a Meal

Meals on Wheels clients receive support to extend their independence and health as they age. This takes place in the form of a week’s worth of meals delivered to their home, as well as important social interaction with caring, trained volunteers. These visits, which also serve as a regular wellness checks, often turn into lasting friendships.

Our Meals on Wheels service has primarily shifted to frozen meal deliveries. These frozen meals provide the same total nutrients as the hot meals over the course of a week. Please call to see if you are eligible to receive daily hot meals. 

NOTICE TO NEW INQUIRIES

There is a pause on all new private-pay accounts in order to focus on other programs. We are unable to offer self-pay meal service until further notice. If you are already on self-pay, your service will not be affected. 

  • All meals are low fat/low salt and meet the one-third recommended dietary allowance set by the USDA.
  • All meals are diabetic friendly. 
  • Soft, vegetarian, and no pork meal options are available by request.
  • Meals are delivered between 10:30 am and 1:30 pm
  • If you will not be available during delivery times, you MUST let us know by 12:00 pm the business day prior*. After three late cancellations or missed meals within 6 months, a recipient will be discharged from the grant funded home-delivered meals program.

* Please note: cancellations are due no later than 12:00 pm on the preceding Friday for Monday deliveries.*

 

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicant must be a resident of Henderson County, NC
  • Age 60 or above
  • Homebound: mentally or physically unable to leave the home more than once per week. 
  • Mentally or physically unable to use public transportation. 
  • Unable to prepare nutritious meals regularly.
  • Must not have a caregiver in the home who can prepare meals. 
  • Important Note: Lack of a motor vehicle does not meet homebound criteria. 
  • Important Note: Poverty level does not determine eligibility. 

For Existing Clients:

Current Menu – Winter 2024

Frozen Meal Heating Instructions

Client Handbook

Nutrition Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm

Nutrition Office General Line: (828) 692-6693

Get Started

Current waiting List: >140 individuals

Current wait time: 253 days

Before creating  a referral, please click the hyperlink below to determine eligibility. 

 Am I Eligible for Meals on Wheels? (pdf)

Caseworkers/Social Workers and Senior Services professionals must complete online application. 

Last updated: March 2024

Online Referral / Sign-up Form
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Meals on Wheels Referral Form

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Duration of service

6 + 4 =

Not Just Long Term

Rehab, post-op, medical treatments, transition of caregiver, and other short-term scenarios are also great opportunities to take advantage of the service. Please be aware that you may only be a temporary recipient for up to 180 days. 

We love to be able to help you through a temporary need and to get back on your feet again.

Don't Need a Meal Every Day?

Do you have a regularly scheduled appointment each week?

No problem. You can set up your meals to skip certain days of the week as long as you receive meals at least three days a week, each week.

Individuals who are in an alternative care or adult daycare program more than twice a week are ineligible for this service. 

Waiting List

Unfortunately, the demand for services greatly outweighs the supply of grant funding. When this is the case, we will add you or your loved one to the waiting list.

The waiting list is prioritized based on need. When a spot opens up, we reach out to the person with the greatest need that has been waiting the longest. Please be advised, there is currently at least a 8 month wait for services for high-priority client requests. Clients who do not qualify as high-priority are asked to look into alternative options.

Private-pay for meals may be available to avoid the waiting list. Private-pay is based on business office availability. We will update this page with more information when private-pay is next available. 

 

A special thanks to our meal providers!